The Black Death, one of the deadliest pandemics in history, is believed to have originated in central Asia. It spread to Europe in the 14th century, largely facilitated by trade routes. The disease, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, was transmitted via fleas living on rats and quickly decimated populations across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Historical accounts suggest that the plague reached Europe through ships arriving at Sicilian ports in 1347. Its catastrophic toll on human life, estimated to have killed 25-30 million people in Europe alone, drastically altered the course of history, impacting society, economy, and culture.