This research explores how malaria may have impacted ancient Athens by combining science, history, and archaeology. By analyzing ancient bones from Athenian burial sites, researchers found signs of disease consistent with malaria. They also used historical texts and DNA from ancient remains to confirm that the malaria parasite was present in classical Greece. To understand how climate influenced mosquito activity, they developed a “mosquito days” model—days when temperature and humidity were ideal for malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Using ancient climate data from tree rings, lake sediments, and global simulations, they calculated mosquito-suitable days over the past 2,000 years. Their model shows that periods with high mosquito activity often lined up with major historical events, like the 430 BCE siege of Athens, suggesting that malaria may have played a hidden role in population declines. This project brings together experts from different fields—like epidemiology, archaeology, climatology, and history—to better understand how climate and disease interacted in the past. These insights are not just about history; they help us anticipate how climate change could increase malaria risk in the future. The study shows how combining knowledge from many disciplines can shed light on both ancient and modern health challenges.