As of this writing, the Compendium Maleficarum is NOT available on Gutenberg due to the lack of a public domain English translation. However, you can find the English translation of the Malleus Maleficarum here if you want comparative reading.
The Compendium Maleficarum (Latin for "Compendium of Witches") is a demonological treatise written by the Italian priest Francesco Maria Guazzo (also spelled Guaccio). It was published in Milan in 1608 (Volume I) and 1626 (Volume II), though the complete two-volume edition appeared in 1626.
Unlike the more famous Malleus Maleficarum (1487), which was a legal and inquisitorial manual, Guazzo’s Compendium is structured more like an encyclopedia of demonic behavior. It is divided into three books, each meticulously detailing the pacts between witches and Satan, the rituals of the Sabbath, and the methods of demonic possession.
While digital copies are convenient, they lose the tactile experience of the folio size. The original Compendium is roughly 8” x 12”. The engravings were meant to be seen at scale. On a smartphone screen, the details of the demon’s claws or the witch’s expression vanish. compendium maleficarum pdf
If you become a serious researcher, consider buying a facsimile reprint. The Book Tree publishing house offers a reasonably priced paperback of the Summers translation with all plates intact. It is $35 on Amazon. Having the physical book allows you to flip between Book I and Book III without scrolling a clunky PDF.
The text is divided into three books, systematically detailing the operations of demons and witches.
Book I: The Nature and Hierarchy of Demons Guazzo borrows heavily from the taxonomy of demons established by Peter Binsfeld. He classifies demons by their celestial hierarchy (matching the nine orders of angels) and their specific functions (e.g., demons of fire, demons of the air). This section attempts to reconcile the existence of demons with Christian theology. As of this writing, the Compendium Maleficarum is
Book II: The Powers and Operations of Witches This is the core of the witch-hunting manual. It details:
Book III: Remedies and Counter-Magic The final section provides methods for identifying, prosecuting, and protecting against witches. It covers:
This is the main event. The Compendium is famous for its incredibly graphic and imaginative copperplate engravings (often misidentified as woodcuts). They depict: Book III: Remedies and Counter-Magic The final section
These images have become the archetypal visual language for heavy metal album covers and horror movies.
Because this book falls into the Public Domain (the author died over 400 years ago), several digital archives host high-quality scans.
A note of caution: There are many "reprint" PDFs for sale on Amazon and Etsy. Do not pay for these unless you want a specific typeset. The original scans are free.
Recommended sources for the free PDF: