The Black Death was a devastating pandemic that struck Europe in the mid-14th century, peaking between 1347 and 1351. It was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which was transmitted through fleas that lived on rats. The disease led to the deaths of an estimated 25 million people, roughly one-third of Europe's population at the time. The impact of the Black Death was profound, leading to significant social, economic, and cultural changes. Labor shortages resulted in higher wages for workers, and many feudal systems began to decline. The pandemic also influenced art and literature, as themes of death and mortality became more prominent in works from this period.