I write about pogroms a lot. The consequences of hatred, its sudden spread & disastrous effects fascinate me, in a grim way. That said, it's easy to distance yourself from some of ancient outbreaks of xenophobia - until their remnants are placed in front of you... THREAD /1 
Most historians agree that the Bubonic Plague arrived in Europe from the east in 1348. The version taught in schools is that vessels from Caffa in modern Ukraine brought it via flea-bitten rats to Genoa, Italy. We all know how deadly it was. /2
While the Bubonic Plague was merciless in who it killed, the disease claimed other victims, even without infection. While some blamed God for the pestilence, others found scapegoats closer to earth. One significant target were European Jews. /3
Despite the Pope, Clement VI, issuing a papal bull that told Christians not to blame the Jews for bringing the Bubonic Plague, conspiracy theories began to circulate that they were poisoning wells in an attempt to kill the Christian population. /4
The Jewish quarters of many European cities - particularly in the German-speaking lands, became the target of angry mobs. With no real effective means of stopping them, houses were burned, goods were stolen and Jews massacred in the streets. /5
Massacres occurred along the Danube and the Rhine - both important trading highways, which carried rumours and suppositions very, very quickly. Cities like Strasbourg, Basel, Nuremberg and Esslingen had horrific outbreaks of violence. /6
On March 21st, 1349 a mob attacked the Jewish population of the city of Erfurt, home to one of the oldest synagogues in Europe. Figures vary, but it's thought that up to 3,000 were killed - the entire Jewish population of the town. /7
It's one thing to read about such events in chronicles - it's another thing entirely to see, to hold and even to smell some of the objects that the victims held. You see, in 1998, demolition work near the Old Synagogue uncovered something truly special... /8
Weighing about 30kg all up, the Erfurt Treasure is a priceless collection of gold and silver, including ingots, coins and wonderful jewelry. For me, it's the jewelry, and another very special object that brings the horror of what happened to these people home for me. /9
This is a wedding band, featuring a six-pointed star. Other wedding rings have been found across Europe very similar to this. At some point almost 700 years ago, this may have sat on the finger of a bride, about to begin a new life. /10
Here's another ring that very same bride might have worn during the wedding ceremony itself. Made of pure gold, it is covered in symbols of marital fidelity, and Hebrew characters reading 'mazel tov' - good fortune. /11
This is a brooch, used for keeping a cloak together or similar. It is in the shape of a bow and arrow, and reads, in German, 'Alack My Heart' - something worn by a lovelorn soul, or someone who wanted to appear so? /12
My favourite piece from the Erfurt Treasure, however, is this perfume bottle, shaped like a star. The stopper resembles a flower. A few years back, the stopper was removed. Much of the scent has gone, but for a faint, herby trace. theguardian.com/science/2009/f…
It's one thing to understand that outbreaks of violent hatred have cost the lives of thousands over the centuries. It's easy to be able to recall when and where they happened. Again, it's something else to see the possessions of those killed in the most horrible way. /13
I can quite imagine the people who enjoyed and treasured these items. I can sense the anticipation before a wedding, the delight of applying perfume before a special occasion, the confidence that a great piece of jewelry wears. I share something with the victims. /14
It's important that we take the time to reacquaint ourselves with those that have come before us. It's important to try to understand how and why they lived their lives the way they did. Most of all, empathy with the past is important. /15
Many historians - and particularly history teachers - talk about how dates and figures matter more now than building a connection with the past. I disagree. If we can't empathise with the lives and fates of those who came before us, what's the point? /16
As we are at a stage where it's possible to lie to more people than ever before, to kill communities with a flick of a switch, we need to understand the consequences of hatred and the lies that stoke that particular fire. We need to remember. /17
If you'd like to learn more about the Erfurt Treasure, and the pogrom of 1349, the city of Erfurt has a whole site devoted to Jewish life in the city, with great resources on the treasure. /FIN juedisches-leben.erfurt.de/jl/en/middle-a…
