The Index Librorum Prohibitorum

The Index Librorum Prohibitorum was a list of books that the Catholic Church deemed forbidden for Catholics to read, published from 1559 until 1966. It aimed to protect the faith and morals of believers from what the Church considered harmful or heretical ideas. Authors like Galileo and Rousseau appeared on the list due to their controversial views. While the Index is no longer in use, its historical significance highlights the tension between authority and intellectual freedom, and the influence of religious beliefs on literature and culture.