Donne e streghe nella Spagna del XVI secolo: realtà o psicosi collettiva?

Abstract

This article deals with the birth and evolution of the debate on witchcraft in Europe, from the creation of a veritable diabolic system in the collective imaginary up to the repression carried out by the ecclesiastic authorities. By analyzing some of the important reference works such as the Malleus Maleficarum, still today considered a sort of manual that justified the existence of witches and regulated their persecution, the topic is explored from the historical and sociological point of view. After examining the main causes and reasons and highlighting the significance of the dual concept “witch-woman” established between the 15th and 17th centuries, the article then focuses on what happened in Spain and the response of theologians such as Pedro Ciruelo and Martín de Castañega, who maintained a more skeptical attitude.