Mesedian Great Famine

Historical Event

Written by Fulma02

Introduction

The Mesedian Great Famine, was a famine in the Mesed Republic from 371 AD that exterminated almost 200,000 people. The famine was part of the wider Mesedian Dark Age of 372–381 AD which affected the popularity of the Mesedian president at that period.

History

The first reports of mass malnutrition and deaths from starvation emerged from two urban areas in Mesed, reported in November 380 by the Mesedian government. By mid-December 380, there were reports about mass "difficulties" with food in urban areas, which had been undersupplied through the forceful elimination of their farm land and deaths from starvation among people who were refused rations, according to the government. By the beginning of February 381, according to reports from local authorities, the most affected area was Renne, which also suffered from epidemics of other deadly viruses. Portus Orient and Zekabrius were second and third, respectively. By mid-March, most of the reports of starvation originated from Lituaria.

Causes

The causes of the Mesedian Famine, the famine that ravaged Mesed and its neighbors during 371 to 381, resulting in the death of around 200 thousand people, are the subject of scholarly and political debate, such as the Mesedian Dark Age discussions. Some historians believe the famine was the unintended consequence of President Nasr Alikh's elimination of crops for more wheat plantations. Other historians believe policies were unintentionally designed to cause the famine. Some of them suggest that the famine may fall under the legal definition of "Unintentional genocide"

Statistics

Mesed was one of the largest grain producing states in the region and as a result was hit particularly hard by the famine. Early estimates of the death toll by scholars and government officials vary greatly. A statement in 2003 declared that 180 to 200 thousand died. However, current scholarship estimates a range significantly higher, with 300 to 500 thousand victims. The famine's widespread impact on Mesed and its neighboring nations have long been gone but is still studied to this day.