Syphilis, Misogyny, and Witchcraft in 16th-century Europe.

Witchcraft; Witches; Misogyny; Syphilis; Misanthropy; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sixteenth century

The article focuses on the relationship between syphilis, the wave of witchcraft hysteria and widespread explosion of misogyny in 16th century Europe. During the period, intensification of misogyny is closely associated with witchcraft and on the belief that witches are all women and the belief that witches had sexual relations with the devil as the source of many of the evils attributed to their sorcery. At the same time, witchcraft accusations were the response of the alleged victims to threats on their health, especially when illness was inexplicable like the particular features of syphilis.