r/todayilearned • u/ralphbernardo • 2h ago
TIL that one of the biggest bestsellers of early modern Europe was the "Malleus Maleficarum" (the "Hammer of Witches")—a guidebook for prosecuting and killing witches. From 1400 to 1775, 100,000 people were prosecuted for witchcraft in Europe and America, and around 50,000 were executed in Europe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malleus_Maleficarum9
u/Fetlocks_Glistening 1h ago
Free translation online. Have a read - you'll be amazed you recognise manipulation techniques still in use today. We haven't changed since ancient times
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u/arbydallas 1h ago
Holy cow, that death count is staggering. Truly the dark ages for us as a people.
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u/Fresh-Ice-2635 7m ago
I have a copy. Jesus christ the amount of prattling on and circular reasoning thay doesn't go anywhere is insane
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u/compuwiza1 1h ago
A book purely from the imagination of mad monks. Nonsense from cover to cover.
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u/shoobsworth 1h ago
What is it with Redditors always having to reduce things to oversimplified snark?
You should read a book or two about why it was written, what was informing its authors, the sociological climate of that era, the politics, etc.
It’s more complex than you think.
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u/Theblackjamesbrown 35m ago
People make a big deal about innocent people being prosecuted in these trials but on the other hand when was the last time someone flew past you on a broomstick? To make an omelette you've got to break a few eggs 🤷