12 examples of pandemics and epidemics in fiction and literature

Mysterious illnesses, epidemics, and pandemics have always played a role in storytelling and literature, from classical works to modern dystopian novels.

In early depictions, epidemics were considered divine punishments or portrayed as supernatural events. Often the occurrence of an epidemic provided moral commentary on the characters in the story or on the society they lived in.

By the early 20th century, scientists had discovered that epidemics were caused by microorganisms, and public health experts began suggesting more empiric ways to prevent or limit epidemics. Consequently, the supernatural aspects disappeared from many stories to be replaced by more political and apocalyptic elements.

Let’s take a look at a few examples of epidemics in famous works of fiction and literature.

“The Iliad” (8^th century BCE)

Homer’s epic poem begins with a plague in the Greek encampment at Troy. The disease had been sent by the god Apollo to punish the Greeks for Agamemnon’s enslavement of Chryseis.

“Oedipus Rex” (429 BCE)