How Napoleon’s army met its doom: DNA reveals surprise illnesses had a role

Nature NewsCenterEN 3 min read 100% complete by Jenna AhartOctober 25, 2025 at 04:27 PM

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A study published in Current Biology reveals that DNA analysis of remains from Napoleon's army, which suffered massive losses during its retreat from Moscow in 1812, has identified two previously unknown bacterial diseases contributing to the high death toll. Historians had previously attributed the deaths primarily to cold, hunger, and known diseases like typhus and trench fever. The new research, conducted by analyzing ancient DNA extracted from the teeth of 13 soldiers excavated in Lithuania, employed advanced screening techniques capable of detecting any known pathogen, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the factors behind the army's collapse.

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Moscow ×270% Arizona State University 80% Napoleon I ×4100%

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napoleon's army 90% retreat from moscow 85% dna analysis 80% bacterial diseases 75% ancient dna screening 70% typhus 65% trench fever 65% bartonella quintana 60% rickettsia prowazekii 60% polymerase chain-reaction (pcr) 55%

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Moscow

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napoleon's army retreat from moscow dna analysis bacterial diseases ancient dna screening typhus trench fever bartonella quintana rickettsia prowazekii polymerase chain-reaction (pcr)

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