Das Zeitalter der Hexenverfolgung

Myths, Power, and the Fear of Black Magic: The History of Witch Hunts in Europe

The beginning of the Early Modern Period was a time of upheaval and uncertainty in what is now Germany and across Europe, where long-held truths were called into question. At the same time, people's fear of the impending end of the world grew, along with their anxiety about witchcraft and black magic, which many blamed for the perceived misfortunes. In this book, renowned historians and SPIEGEL authors revisit the violent chapter of the witch trials and the fates of the victims. They investigate why numerous women and men were persecuted as supposed witches or sorcerers, brutally tortured, and cruelly executed. In doing so, they debunk widespread myths about that dark era and reveal that behind the persecution often lay power interests, social conflicts, and political rivalries. With numerous illustrations. Features: includes images.