Introduction:

Epidemics have placed our species at risk from ancient times to the present and will surely continue to challenge us in the future. Therefore, it is reasonable to look through the history of these threats to find the keys to their origin and development.

Objective:

To find the keys that help to interpret the major epidemics of the past.

Method:

Logical-historical method applying criteria related to pandemic to documented events.

Development:

A total of 10 well-documented pandemics were analyzed following the historical sequence, starting with the plague of Athens (430 BC) and ending with COVID-19. The disease and the germ were specified in seven of them. In the remaining three, there is no absolute certainty of the germ. The factors that facilitated the contagion included: disasters, climate changes, wars, trade routes, overcrowding, famine and lack of hygiene. Antecedents of isolation, quarantine and hygiene measures were found, whose non-compliance had fatal experiences in the past. All epidemics influenced on changes in post-epidemic society.

Conclusions:

Rational confrontation with epidemics encompasses the integration of knowledge of the disease and contagion with other factors. The study of the past is useful to obtain information about antecedents and experiences of the most effective measures and to avoid mistakes that have been repeated.

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