Map of the Black Death's Spread in Europe, 1347-1351

What it is

This is a colour map titled Ausbreitung der Pest in Europa, which means spread of the plague in Europe. It shows the spread of the Black Death across Europe from 1347 to after 1351, using colour-coded time bands, a legend and labelled cities such as London, Paris, Warschau and Athen. The Commons record says it was apparently copied from a German atlas, the Atlas zur Weltgeschichte, and it was uploaded by Roger Zenner on 3 April 2005.

Why it matters

The Black Death reached Europe in these years, and maps like this one turn a long, spreading disaster into a picture students can follow. The Commons notes warn that the details are uncertain: other maps of the same events differ on which areas were affected, and the source atlas has many editions. A map is therefore a summary built by later editors, and its choices about borders and dates matter as much as its colours.

Look closer

• How does the map use colour and time bands to show change, and what does the legend add?
• Which cities are labelled, and why might an editor choose these places?
• Why might two maps of the same plague disagree, and which one would you trust more?