Poems on Plagues

This talk examines responses to Thucydides’ narrative of the plague of Athens.

While in recent years Thucydides has sometimes been praised for his prescience, some earlier physician-readers found his picture simply impossible to believe.

Thomas Sprat, in his 1659 poetic work, uses Thucydides work as a framework in which to reflect on the English Civil War.

Speaker: Professor Helen King

Physicians' Gallery · Ep.3 - Thomas Sprat And The Later History Of The Plague Of Athens