History records countless prejudices and superstitions. How many nations were exterminated, how many thousands of people were slaughtered under the pretext of securing the salvation of mankind by imposing the true so-called type of faith in God.

If we carefully examine the multitude of superstitions, we will find a multitude of beliefs that primarily express fear towards something foreign, strange, inexplicable.

As the historian Polybius writes, if the state consisted of philosophers, it would not be necessary for the rulers to resort to such tricks of intimidation in order to manipulate a volatile crowd, full of unjust desires, irrational impulse, and violent passion.

On the other hand, we will certainly perceive the folklore remnants that reach our days and constitute an integral part of our popular tradition.

However, the exploitation of superstitions, which has created enormous sources of income for the respective religious authority that sees fear as an object of commercial transaction, selling indulgences and inventing miracles, also reaches our days.

This book reveals the sources, causes, and historical trajectory of many of the prejudices and superstitious beliefs that we encounter today.