When Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812, he led the biggest army Europe had ever seen. However, his grand ambition met a surprising foe—microbes.
Recent research on DNA from the teeth of soldiers who died during Napoleon’s retreat reveals two diseases that ravaged his army. Nicolás Rascovan, head of the microbial paleogenomics unit at Institut Pasteur, shared insights from the study published in Current Biology.
Using advanced DNA analysis, Rascovan’s team examined remains of 13 soldiers found near Vilnius, Lithuania. They identified two significant pathogens: Salmonella enterica, which causes paratyphoid fever, and Borrelia recurrentis, responsible for relapsing fever. These diseases thrived in unsanitary conditions, common among the troops during their harsh campaign.
Historical accounts describe symptoms like fever and diarrhea, aligning with these findings. The study suggests a combination of fatigue, cold weather, and these diseases led to widespread suffering and death among the soldiers.
Interestingly, while a 2006 study detected typhus in some soldiers, this new research adds depth to our understanding of the grim conditions that faced Napoleon’s army. Rascovan noted that finding multiple pathogens shows the high prevalence of infectious diseases at the time. Ultimately, around 300,000 men perished during this disastrous retreat.
This historical analysis highlights how microbial threats can turn the tides of war. Even great leaders like Napoleon can’t outrun the impact of diseases.
