Inquisition
Definition
The Inquisition was a powerful institution established by the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages and early modern period. It aimed to identify, suppress, and punish individuals or groups who were deemed heretical or deviant from Catholic teachings.
Analogy
Imagine the Inquisition as a group of detectives hunting down people they believed to be breaking the rules of a game. They would investigate and punish those who did not follow the official rulebook.
Related terms
Heresy: Beliefs or practices that go against established religious teachings.
Auto-da-fé: Public ceremonies where those accused by the Inquisition faced judgment, punishment, or death.
Torquemada: Tomás de Torquemada was a prominent Spanish Dominican friar who played a leading role in the Spanish Inquisition.
"Inquisition" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Practice Questions (4)
Which country used inquisition to enforce religious conformity?
Which institution led Inquisition during late Middle Ages and early Renaissance?
Which religious group was most targeted by the Inquisition during the Catholic Reformation?
How might a contemporary scientist's views on Galileo during the Inquisition have been influenced?
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