Un’ipotesi storico-agiografica per il “ballo di san Vito”: la Passio Sancti Viti e le “danze” degli indemoniati

This article investigates patristic and hagiographic sources referring to the demonization of “dance”: the presence of the Evil is recognized in many kinds of bodily agitations, which are, in turn, compared to Bacchic dances. Precisely in its connection with pathological “dance”, like epilepsy, the cult of St. Vitus could be considered an aspect of this tradition. In the Passio Sancti Viti, the Saint proves to be an exorcist and the liberator of Diocletian’s son from demonic harassment and thus, over time, he is recognized as a healer from various forms of pathologies, which could be assimilated to “dances”.