Medieval mural's tales of sorcery

[emad]

John Hooper in Rome
Tuesday December 28, 2004
The Guardian

A mural which has come to light in Tuscany has been identified by a British university lecturer as the earliest surviving representation of witchcraft in Christian Europe.

A book published in Italy by George Ferzoco, director of the centre for Tuscan studies at the University of Leicester, argues that at least two of the women in the porno-erotic wall painting are sorceresses.

"I have no doubt that this is by far the earliest depiction in art of women acting as witches," he said.

The 13th-century mural was discovered four years ago at Massa Marittima, a town south-west of Siena. Dr Ferzoco believes it was intended as a warning, by supporters of the papacy, of the anarchy and licentiousness that would supposedly engulf the town if it fell into the hands of their political rivals.

http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/artsandhumanities/story/0,12241,1380254,00.html

[selmo7]

1. Thanks for the post!!!

History or "Her"story repeating itself? :-)

[xchrom]

2. i love history

and italian history boggles with all it's levels.

[indigobusiness]

3. Isn't that the truth?

What a rich cultural heritage!