The Universal Concept of Witchcraft

The idea of witches is a pan-cultural concept that dates back to ancient times, when witches were often men. Ancient scriptures mention witches, and the first documented witch trial took place in ancient Greece. Witch hunts occurred across Europe, in countries like Germany, France, Switzerland, Russia, Turkey, and Sweden, and were conducted by various religious groups, including Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and Animists. Political dislocation and insecurity often contributed to the frenzy of witch trials.