Study Reveals Ancient Diseases that Decimated Napoleon’s Troops

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have identified additional diseases that contributed to the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte’s army during the infamous Russian campaign of 1812. While historical narratives have long attributed the high death toll to typhus, recent analyses of ancient DNA from the remains of 13 soldiers indicate that paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever also played significant roles.

The massive invasion, which began in June 1812, saw Napoleon lead a force of approximately 600,000 troops into Russia. The retreating Russian forces employed scorched-earth tactics, leaving the French army to occupy a devastated Moscow by September. By the time the troops returned to the Russian border, an estimated 300,000 soldiers had perished, primarily due to illness, starvation, and extreme cold.

Researchers from the Institut Pasteur conducted the study, published in the journal Current Biology, utilizing advanced gene-sequencing techniques to analyze preserved bacterial DNA in the teeth of the fallen soldiers. The analysis revealed fragments of Salmonella enterica, which is associated with paratyphoid fever, and Borrelia recurrentis, a bacterium linked to relapsing fever.

Unlocking Historical Narratives Through Microbial DNA

The study reinforces the growing understanding of how ancient DNA can reshape historical narratives. According to Stephan Talty, author of *The Illustrious Dead*, the romanticized notion of typhus as the sole killer of Napoleon’s army may overlook the complexities of disease in such harsh conditions. “Though the sample size is small, the new evidence makes a strong case that there were other infections at work,” Talty noted.

The historical context of the invasion is accompanied by grim accounts of the conditions faced by the soldiers. In 2001, a mass grave containing the remains of over 3,000 soldiers was discovered at a former Soviet Army barracks in Vilnius, Lithuania. Excavations revealed that bodies were hastily buried, with signs indicating that the intense cold had frozen victims in the positions they died.

Past Meets Present in Disease Research

In previous studies, researchers had successfully identified the DNA of the typhus-causing bacteria Rickettsia prowazekii and Bartonella quintana, responsible for trench fever, from the same mass grave. The recent study aimed to expand on this work by sequencing the entire genome of the pathogens found in the soldiers’ remains.

As noted by Remi Barbieri, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institut Pasteur, the project began with a focus on typhus but yielded unexpected results. The use of modern techniques allowed the team to conduct an unbiased analysis of the DNA present, revealing additional pathogens that may have contributed to the suffering of Napoleon’s troops.

The findings are particularly relevant given the historical descriptions of gastrointestinal distress among soldiers, which could correlate with contamination from food sources. A report from physician J.R.L. de Kirckhoff documented instances of severe diarrhea related to the consumption of spoiled food, illustrating the dire conditions faced by the army during their retreat.

This research not only sheds light on a pivotal moment in military history but also highlights the evolution of disease and its impact on human events. Talty emphasized the futility of the campaign, stating that the invasion was “doomed before it even began,” given the lack of modern medical advancements and the logistical challenges of managing a large army in such inhospitable circumstances.

The study enriches our understanding of the tragic fate that befell Napoleon’s forces, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of disease and suffering in historical contexts.