Dancing Plague
A 1518 phenomenon in Strasbourg where hundreds of people danced uncontrollably for days, with some dying from exhaustion.
Documented record
Known Facts
In July 1518, Frau Troffea began dancing uncontrollably in the streets of Strasbourg.
Within a month, 400 people had joined the dancing, unable to stop.
Some dancers collapsed and died from heart attacks, strokes, or exhaustion.
The city council eventually banned music, believing it was making the dancing worse.
The phenomenon was documented by contemporary chroniclers and physicians.
Similar dancing plagues occurred in other European cities in previous centuries.
Supporting claims & documentation
Evidence For
Contemporary Chroniclers
PRIMARY SOURCEMultiple 16th-century accounts document the dancing plague.
SOURCE:Strasbourg city records and chronicles
Medical and City Council Records
PRIMARY SOURCECity council minutes and physician reports on the phenomenon.
SOURCE:Strasbourg archives
Counterpoints & criticisms
Evidence Against
Mass Hysteria Explanation
ANALYSISModern scholars suggest mass psychogenic illness or ergot poisoning.
SOURCE:Medical and psychological analysis
Unresolved inquiries
Open Questions
What triggered the initial dancing?
Was this mass hysteria, ergot poisoning, or something else?
Why did Strasbourg experience this phenomenon in 1518?
Were there similar events elsewhere at the same time?
Chronological record
Timeline
Frau Troffea begins dancing in Strasbourg.
400+ people dancing; deaths reported.
City council bans music; dancing gradually stops.
Connected dossiers
Related Investigations
References & further reading
Sources
Automatically discovered links
Related Connections
Thematic overlap: medieval, mystery.
Thematic overlap: mystery.
Thematic overlap: mystery.