The Malleus Maleficarum, also known as "The Hammer of Witches," is a 15th-century treatise written by Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger. It served as a guide for the identification, prosecution, and punishment of witches during the European witch hunts. The book outlines various methods for detecting witchcraft and provides legal procedures for trials. Published in 1487, the Malleus Maleficarum played a significant role in shaping public perception of witchcraft and fueled widespread hysteria. It emphasized the belief that witches were in league with the devil and promoted harsh penalties, contributing to the persecution of thousands of individuals, particularly women, accused of witchcraft across Europe.