The Dancing Plague of 1518: why did hundreds of people dance to death?
In July 1518, in Strasbourg, France, a woman began to dance fervently for days on end. Over time, more than 400 people joined her, many of whom died from exhaustion and heart attacks.
This event, known as the Dancing Plague or Dance Mania, is one of the most bizarre epidemics in history. Over the course of about two months, hundreds of people were stricken with the same compulsion to dance continuously, without rest, leading to their deaths. Despite numerous theories, including mass hysteria and ergot poisoning, the true cause of the Dancing Plague remains a mystery. This unexplained event continues to perplex historians and scientists alike.
Investigate Further