Introduction
Procopius and Giovanni Boccaccio both wrote about plagues that ravaged their respective societies. Procopius described the Justinianic Plague that struck the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century, while Boccaccio wrote about the Black Death that swept Europe in the 14th century.
Differences
Description: Clinical vs. Poetic
While both plagues caused widespread death and suffering, there are notable differences in how the two authors described them. Procopius’s account of the Justinianic Plague is a detailed, clinical description of the disease and its symptoms. He describes how the plague began with fever and swelling in the groin or armpits, followed by vomiting and diarrhea. He also notes that many people died within three to four days of contracting the disease. Procopius attributes the cause of the plague to “an atmospheric corruption” that spread through the air.
In contrast, Boccaccio’s description of the Black Death is more poetic and allegorical. He describes the plague as a “pestilence” spread by “the breath of the infected person.” Boccaccio also includes stories of individuals who tried to escape the plague by fleeing to the countryside or by isolating themselves from others. However, he notes that no one was immune to the disease, regardless of their social status or wealth.
Religious Attitudes
Another key difference between the two accounts is their attitudes towards religion. Procopius does not mention religion in his description of the Justinianic Plague, while Boccaccio frequently references God and divine punishment in his account of the Black Death. He describes how people turned to religious rituals and practices in an attempt to ward off the disease but ultimately found no solace in their faith.
Conclusion
Overall, while both Procopius and Boccaccio wrote about devastating plagues that caused widespread death and suffering, their descriptions differed in terms of their level of detail, tone, and emphasis on religion. Procopius’s account is more clinical and scientific, while Boccaccio’s is more allegorical and focused on the human experience of the plague.