ave the advantage and were expected to seize the city, until they suffered an unexpected blow that defeated their army. This unexpected blow was the plague. The plague broke out within their army and they were forced to retreat. The Mongolian warriors believed the disease was a curse put on them by the people in Caffa. Out of hate and trying to get revenge, the Tartars catapulted the dead bodies of the plague victims over the walls of Caffa. The plague soon began to spread after the Tatars retreated and the people of Caffa realized that the only way they were to survive was to flee the area. They boarded merchant ships and set sail for Italy. These ships where later found by the Missena city officials. The city officials could not prevent the disaster that would follow. Within days the disease spread not only within the city, but also the surrounding countryside. An eyewitness tells what happened:Realizing what a deadly disaster had come to them, the people quickly drove the Italians from their city. But the disease remained, and soon death was everywhere. Fathers abandoned their sick sons. Lawyers refused to come make out wills for the dying. Friars and nuns were left to care for the sick, and monasteries and convents were soon deserted, as they were stricken, too. Bodies were left in empty houses, and there was no one to give them a Christian burial. The wealthy nobles since of monetary security had the advantage over the poor. The rich could usually flee the towns and cities, where the plague raged unmercifully, and escape to their castles and villas in the country. In the country, there were usually less people and cleaner reducing the chance of the dirty infested rats to enter the country homes. When this disease hit the coast of Italy, people had no idea what they were encountering. All they knew was that masses of people were dying. Some thought it was due to the influence of celestial bodies. Others thoug...
