mouths to the animal’s anus.60 Map was suggesting that heretics performed deviant, or even devilish, ceremonies. This accusation was reiterated by Alain of Lille, a French theologian writing at the beginning of the thirteenth century, where he explained the name ‘Cathar’ came from the word ‘chat/cat’. He insinuated that these heretics worshiped the animal as a manifestation of Lucifer. A more convincing reason for the name ‘Cathar’ may lie in the Greek word ‘katarus’, which means ‘pure’. But Alain bastardised it with his derogatory manipulation.
