the black death in early ottoman territories - Bilkent University

heralds announce that a communal prayer would be held in the Aya Sofya mosque.
Not surprisingly, Evliya Çelebi mentions that the mosque had turned into a sea of
humans. 316
We discussed above that flight was a common response to plague
outbreaks. Doubtlessly, it was especially in the beginning much a spontaneous
reaction shown by a terrified population. But from the start, there were theoretical
considerations such as the effect of miasma or corrupted air, as well as religious
convictions that played a role as well. Religious leaders were well-read and
educated persons and often offered practical as well as spiritual considerations
when elaborating on the subject of plague. In the sixteenth century, for instance,
Cardinal Wolsey recommended escape into clean air as the sole effective
safeguard against plague infection. But theological arguments would also be on the
order of the day. Whether a Christian ought to fly from plague or whether his duty
was to remain and trust in God as did the Muslims was a question much discussed
by clerics of the Reformation period, including Martin Luther. 317 Added to the
debate was the consideration of Christian charity and the duty to remain and care
for one's fellow townsmen.
5.3. Policies and Politics with regard to plague
Preventive measures
No preventive measures in the form of quarantine or isolation of the
plague-stricken were described in the sources consulted for the period under
investigation. Of course, this does not exclude the possibility that such measures
316
Evliya Çelebi. Evliyâ Çelebi Seyâhatnâmesi. Vol. 1. Edited by Zuhuri Danışman. Istanbul:
Yaylacık Matbaası. 1969, 131.
317
Hirst, The Conquest of Plague, 45.
83