Napoleon’s Army Was Defeated by Disease, Not Just War
New research reveals paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever killed thousands of soldiers during the retreat from Moscow.
When Napoleon marched into Russia in 1812, he led the largest army Europe had ever seen. By the time he retreated, however, his forces had been decimated—not primarily by battles, but by disease.
Researchers analyzing DNA from the teeth of soldiers who died during the retreat from Moscow have identified two diseases that ravaged the Grande Armée. For years, historians believed typhus was the main killer, but new evidence tells a different story.
Using a technique called shotgun sequencing, scientists studied ancient DNA from the dental remains of 13 soldiers found near Vilnius, Lithuania. They discovered the presence of Salmonella enterica, responsible for paratyphoid fever, and Borrelia recurrentis, which causes louse-borne relapsing fever. Both diseases thrive in conditions of poor sanitation and crowded living, which were common in Napoleon’s army.
The symptoms match historical accounts from the campaign, including fever, diarrhea, and exhaustion. Researchers suggest that the deaths likely resulted from a combination of harsh weather, fatigue, and multiple infections. While relapsing fever alone might not be fatal, it could severely weaken already exhausted soldiers, making them more vulnerable to other illnesses.
This study differs from earlier research, which found traces of typhus and trench fever in a few soldiers. While those results remain valid, the new findings reveal a broader range of pathogens that contributed to the army’s staggering losses.
By the end of the campaign, an estimated 300,000 soldiers had died. The study highlights the devastating impact of infectious disease on history, showing that even the greatest military leader of his time could not outmarch microbes.
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