What is it about?
The authors, analyzing Lucan's epic poem "Bellum civile / Pharsalia", examined the historical premises and the epidemiological conditions useful to understand some facts reported in book IX of the epic, where a probable epidemic infectious disease episode may have been described. After a careful reading of the Latin text and a revision of the phylogenetic history and characteristics of viruses responsible for the African hemorrhagic fevers, the authors suggest that in the text of Lucan may have been reported the very first historical description of an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak.
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Why is it important?
If, at the time of Lucan, the Equator had been located much northern than it actually is, a remarkable underestimation of the real penetration of roman troops in the African continent may have occurred. Then, from Cato’s point of view, a trip starting from the North African coast and heading west, to avoid the Syrtes along a southward route, could have fairly gone south enough to cross the Equator.
Perspectives
If, at the time of Lucan, the Equator had been located much northern than it actually is, a remarkable underestimation of the real penetration of roman troops in the African continent may have occurred. Then, from Cato’s point of view, a trip starting from the North African coast and heading west, to avoid the Syrtes along a southward route, could have fairly gone south enough to cross the Equator.
Acquire Publications
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This page is a summary of: Did the Latin poet Lucan report an Ebola virus disease outbreak in his epic Pharsalia? An epidemiological report in Roman literature, Journal of Virology and Viral Diseases, December 2021, Acquire Publications LLC,
DOI: 10.54289/jvvd2100106.
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