A methodological achievement
Ginzburg used extraordinary fragments of inquisitorial evidence to reconstruct a largely overlooked world of popular belief. His work helped readers see accused people not simply as passive figures within official accusations, but as historical actors with distinct languages and explanations.
The transformation thesis
His influential interpretation emphasizes pressure from inquisitorial questioning that helped recast beneficial figures as participants in diabolical witchcraft. This is a historical argument drawn from documents, not a self-evident fact of every case.
Why later scholarship matters
A landmark reconstruction can remain important while individual propositions are challenged. This archive cites the original Italian publication, later English editions and subsequent responses. Intellectual history is not a contest in which only one book may survive.
Source and revision record
- Carlo Ginzburg, I benandanti, original Italian edition (1966), library recordLibrary catalog · Bibliographic confirmation of original Italian publication.
- Carlo Ginzburg, The Night Battles (2013 edition)Publisher listing · Accessible edition record with table of contents.
- Carlo Ginzburg, The Night Battles (updated edition, 2026)Publisher listing · Publisher bibliographic and interpretive overview; updated edition dated September 8, 2026.
- Santarelli and Weber, Benandanti, EreticopediaScholarly reference · Survey of agrarian, funerary and therapeutic strands, with discussion of scholarly disagreement.