The Hidden Enemies of Napoleon's Army: What DNA Reveals

Napoleon's retreat from Russia in 1812 was a disaster. About 300,000 soldiers died out of a force of roughly 500,000. This event marked the start of the end for Napoleon's empire.

New Pathogens Discovered

Scientists recently studied DNA from the teeth of 13 French soldiers buried in a mass grave in Vilnius, Lithuania. They found evidence of two new pathogens:

• Paratyphoid fever
• Louse-borne relapsing fever

These diseases were not previously known to have affected the army during this retreat.

The Vilnius Site

The Vilnius site holds the remains of 2,000 to 3,000 soldiers. Many arrived exhausted, starving, and ill. They were quickly buried in mass graves.

Scientists already knew about typhus and trench fever in these soldiers. Now, they have discovered two more diseases.

Paratyphoid Fever

• Spread: Usually through food or water.
• Symptoms: Fever, headache, abdominal pain, and sometimes diarrhea or constipation.

Louse-borne Relapsing Fever

• Spread: By body lice.
• Symptoms: Recurring high fever, headache, muscle pain, and weakness.

Findings from the Study

• Four of the 13 soldiers tested positive for paratyphoid fever.
• Two tested positive for relapsing fever.

These symptoms match historical accounts of the retreat. A previous study found typhus and trench fever in other soldiers from the same cemetery. The new study did not find these diseases, showing that multiple infections were circulating among the soldiers.

The Context of the Retreat

Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 failed. The army faced:

• Dwindling supplies
• Counter-attacks
• The harsh Russian winter

The new findings show that the soldiers suffered from many different diseases. This adds complexity to the story of their plight.

The Impact of Ancient DNA Analysis

Ancient DNA analysis is improving. It can provide new insights into historical events. Scientists can now test historical hypotheses directly. They can confirm or complicate old narratives. This helps historians and scientists understand complex crises better.