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Dancing Plague of 1518
A woman began dancing in the street and couldn't stop. Within a month, 400 people were dancing uncontrollably. Authorities built a stage and hired musicians, thinking they'd dance it out. Dozens danced to death.
July 1518
Strasbourg, Alsace
400+ witnesses
The Dancing Plague of 1518 is one of history’s strangest documented events.
The Beginning
According to historical records:
In July 1518:
- Frau Troffea began dancing
- In Strasbourg street
- Couldn’t stop for days
- Others joined her
- No music was playing
The Spread
Within a month:
- 400 people affected
- Dancing day and night
- Unable to stop
- Many collapsed
- Some danced to death
The Response
Authorities believed:
- Dancing was a disease
- More dancing would cure it
- Built wooden stage
- Hired musicians
- Made it worse
The Deaths
The toll:
- Dancers collapsed from exhaustion
- Heart attacks occurred
- Strokes reported
- Estimates of 15 deaths per day
- At peak of outbreak
Historical Documentation
The event was:
- Recorded by physicians
- Noted in city chronicles
- Sermons referenced it
- Guild records mention it
- Undeniably real
Theories
Modern explanations:
- Mass psychogenic illness
- Ergot poisoning
- Stress-induced hysteria
- Cult activity
- Still debated