Furthermore, the Compendium is famous for its copperplate engravings. These illustrations—depicting witches riding demons, kissing the anus of a goat (the osculum infame ), and brewing flying ointments—are some of the most iconic images in occult history.
Beyond its dark history, the book is a primary source for historians studying the . It reflects the intense social anxieties of the 17th century. Artistically, the woodcut illustrations are the book's most enduring legacy; they depict scenes of demons, ritual feasts, and the "Infamous Kiss" with such detail that they still appear in modern horror media and occult studies. Where to Find a Digital Copy
Categorizes demons based on earlier works by Michael Psellus. Book II: Powers and Crimes of Witches Details specific magical abilities such as transmogrification (e.g., witches turning into wolves). Covers various "maleficia," including soporific spells compendium maleficarum pdf
While the content is historically accurate in reflecting the panic of the era, it is entirely fictional and based on superstition. However, it remains a crucial primary source for several reasons:
: Explanations of how witches supposedly caused storms, illness, and crop failure. Furthermore, the Compendium is famous for its copperplate
Are you researching this book for , or are you looking for a specific chapter or illustration from Guazzo's work?
: A hierarchical system, largely based on the 11th-century work of Michael Psellus, dividing demons into six classes. It reflects the intense social anxieties of the 17th century
The second book acts as an encyclopedia of curses and supernatural crimes. Guazzo classifies the different ways witches could inflict harm upon humanity, including:
in 1929. You can access various versions of the PDF and full text through the following sources: Wikisource.org Public Domain & Free Access Internet Archive (1929 English Edition): You can view or download the complete 1929 Montague Summers translation in various formats including PDF and EPUB. HathiTrust Digital Library:
You can find digital copies and PDF versions of this text through the following public domain and library resources:
When searching for digital copies, you will generally encounter two types of files: