[Hypothesis on the Achean disease].

A hypothesis on the Achaean disease. Analyzing the text in the light of the modern medical knowledge, the article traces a profile of the mortal illness described in the first book of Homer's Iliad. The disease was a severe, acute epidemic zoonosis, rapidly bringing death. First, it affected mules and dogs, then it involved men; the infection spread quickly and the number of deaths was high. These elements suggest that the illness occurred among the Achaeans can be identified with glanders, an infectious disease affecting primarily mules and horses that can be transmitted to man by contact with these animals.