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Benandanti

Benandanti

Witchcraft and Agrarian Cults in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
HistoryReligion
Pages
240
Published
1983
Language
English

Synopsis

Drawing on Inquisitorial archives, this book uncovers the history of the benandanti, a peasant fertility cult who believed they fought witches in dream-like states to protect their harvests. It details the century-long clash between these beliefs and the Inquisitors' attempts to categorize them, ultimately leading to the benandanti's transformation into the very witches they opposed. The author reveals how this shift in the understanding of witchcraft was influenced by the Inquisitors and spread across Europe and to the New World, offering a unique glimpse into peasant thought during this era.

Prose complexity
10/10

Vibe

InformativeIntellectualComplexThought-Provoking

Genres

History Religion Sociology

Authors

A
Anne C. Tedeschi

Anne C. Tedeschi is the author of Il formaggio e i vermi. This work explores historical and cultural themes, offering readers a unique look into the past.

C
Carlo Ginzburg

Carlo Ginzburg is a historian whose work, like his famous book The Cheese and the Worms, often explores the history of popular culture and belief. He's known for his deep dives into the lives of ordinary people and their unique worldviews.

J
John Tedeschi

John Tedeschi wrote Il formaggio e i vermi, a fascinating look at the world through the eyes of a 16th-century miller. It's a deep dive into early modern thought and popular beliefs.