«IZVESTIYA IRKUTSKOGO GOSUDARSTVENNOGO UNIVERSITETA». SERIYA «ISTORIYA»
«THE BULLETIN OF IRKUTSK STATE UNIVERSITY». SERIES «HISTORY»
ISSN 2222-9124 (Print)

List of issues > Series «History». 2026. Vol 55

The “Вlasphemy Сase” of Сossack Yakushka Batoshkov

Author(s)

P. N. Barahovich

Archaeological Design and Surveying” LLC, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation

Abstract
This article introduces the materials of the witchcraft case against the Cossack Yakov Batoshkov. It was investigated by Governor F.A. Golovin in the Yenisei district. Rough transcripts of interrogations under torture have survived from the investigative documents. The most complete version of this document will be published. The interrogation transcripts provide new information about folk beliefs (demonology) and witchcraft practices in 17th-century Siberia.
About the Authors
Barahovich Pavel Nikonaevich, Candidate of Sciences (History) “Archaeological Design and Surveying” LLC build. 1, 25, Mir ave., Krasnoyarsk, 660049, Russian Federation e-mail: spqr509@yandex.ru
For citation
Barahovich P.N. The “Вlasphemy Сase” of Сossack Yakushka Batoshkov. The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series History, 2026, vol. 55, pp. 93-100. https://doi.org/10.26516/2222-9124.2026.55.93 (in Russian)
Keywords
witchcraft, Siberia, torture, demonology, Ketsk, Yeniseisk.
UDC
94 (571.54)
DOI
94 (571.54)
References
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