L'idolo/statua dei Templari: dall'accusa di idolatria al mito del Bafometto

Among the various accusations made to the Order of the Knights Templar by the Crown of France since 1307, there is that of worshiping an idol. This idol – which is described in some inquisitorial trial depositions given by the knights under interrogation – takes many forms, many of which refer to an object in the form of a human head. This paper seeks to provide a classification of the various and conflicting descriptions of this idol; to make a judgment on the likelihood of such descriptions; to read them in the light of the accusatory context built with the purpose of facilitating the condemnation of the Order; and last but not least, to dwell on the creation of the modern myth of Baphomet by esoteric, theosophical and masonic circles.