The Malleus Maleficarum

The Malleus Maleficarum, or "Hammer of Witches," is a treatise on witchcraft written by Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger.

Published in 1486, it became a foundational text for witch hunts in early modern Europe.

The book details the authors' beliefs about a global conspiracy of witches led by Satan, outlining methods for identifying and prosecuting them.

It promoted the use of torture to extract confessions and advocated for the death penalty for those found guilty.

The Malleus Maleficarum's influence contributed significantly to the widespread persecution of individuals accused of witchcraft.

Its misogynistic views and promotion of violence continue to be studied and criticized.