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 outbreak had significant social and economic impacts. Labor shortages resulted in higher wages for workers, while many feudal systems began to decline. The Black Death also influenced art and culture, leading to a greater focus on mortality and the human condition in works from the period.