When Napoleon set out for Russia in 1812, his campaign began with confidence but ended with catastrophic losses. Recent DNA research has now exposed which deadly diseases struck his soldiers during their desperate retreat.
Researchers examined remains from mass graves in Vilnius, Lithuania, using modern DNA analysis on the teeth of soldiers. Instead of the expected typhus, scientists found suspicious traces of Salmonella enterica, responsible for paratyphoid fever, and Borrelia recurrentis, a bacterium carried by body lice.
Breaking Long-Held Assumptions
For centuries, typhus was blamed for the tragic fate of Napoleon ‘s Grande Armée. However, no DNA evidence for the classic typhus-causing bacterium was found, indicating that multiple diseases combined with exhaustion led to the soldiers’ demise.
The Winter’s Role in Tragedy
Napoleon’s force of over 600,000 men suffered enormous losses, with fewer than one in five surviving the campaign. Those who did not succumb to battle or cold fell victim to infection and starvation, hastened by relentless winter conditions.
The Graves that Speak Volumes
Many soldiers were buried in their uniforms alongside their horses, far from battlefields. The lack of weapons and the mass burial sites suggest they died from disease, cold, and fatigue rather than direct combat.
The Path Forward for Science
Experts stress the need for wider analysis. Testing more graves could uncover other epidemic illnesses. This process might provide a fuller picture of one of history’s greatest military disasters.
Revisiting History with DNA
This pioneering study demonstrates how modern genetic technology can shed new light on the stories of the past. It separates fact from legend and uncovers humanity’s enduring struggle against invisible threats.