Medieval Dancing Plague: The Enigmatic Frenzy of Europe

The dancing plague of 1374 was a bizarre phenomenon that began in Aachen, Germany, where people uncontrollably danced for days or even months, often until death from exhaustion or injury. This choreomania spread throughout Western Europe, affecting thousands who danced frantically while crying out to saints for deliverance. The affliction appeared contagious, with observers often joining the frenzied dancers. Modern historians like Dr. John Waller attribute this to mass psychogenic illness triggered by extreme psychological stress following the Black Death, which had killed 40% of Europeans. The most documented outbreak occurred in Strasbourg in 1518, beginning with one woman and expanding to approximately 400 dancers. Local authorities worsened the situation by encouraging the dancing, resulting in numerous deaths. The phenomenon disappeared after the 16th century, suggesting it was uniquely tied to medieval European cultural contexts and collective trauma responses.

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