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"The pure ones" -

Catharism comes from the ancient Greek katharoi, meaning "the pure ones." The Cathars existed in Southern Europe between the 12th and 14th centuries.

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"The pure ones" -

They thrived in Southern France and Northern Italy. In France, they left behind impressive castles and structures that are still standing today.

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Cathar priests -

Cathar priests lived a simple life, without possessions or imposing taxes or penalties. They regarded men and women as equals, and their approach appealed to those who were disillusioned with the Church.

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A strict hierarchy -

The Cathars observed a strict hierarchy. The perfecti were the priests and bishops, those who had renounced the world, followed by the credentes, believers who still interacted with the world but worked toward renunciation. Lastly were the sympathizers, non-believers who aided and supported Cathar communities.

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Gnosticism -

The Cathars were a dualist Christian or gnostic sect who referred to themselves as "Good Christians" and suffered much persecution.

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Gnosticism -

The Catholic Church regarded Catharism as a heretical sect, and much of the persecution suffered by the Cathars would be dealt out during the Crusades.

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Languedoc -

Catharism first emerged in the 11th century, in the Languedoc region of France. The movement initially took hold in the French city of Albi.

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Albigensians -

The Cathars were occasionally referred to as Albigensians, after this city in France where they had originated.

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Ascetic leaders -

The movement was at first taught by ascetic leaders. As they set few guidelines, it led to many Cathar beliefs varying between different regions and over time.

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Manichaeism and Catharism -

The belief structure of Catharism can be originally traced back to the Manichaeism of Persia, which traveled via the Silk Road from the Byzantine Empire to Europe, where it became entwined with Christian belief and symbolism.

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Bogomils influence -

The Christian, neo-gnostic Bogomils of the First Bulgarian Empire heavily influenced Catharism, which most likely arrived through the Byzantine Empire via the Paulicians of Armenia and Anatolia (most of modern-day Turkey), who resettled in Thrace (modern-day Greece).

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An alternative to Catholicism? -

The Bogomils, Cathars, and their contemporaries the Waldensians were significant in their time, as they were the first to propose a legitimate alternative to Catholicism in any form.

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The feminine divine principle: Sophia "wisdom" -

The Cathars recognized the female principle in the divine. God was both male and female, and the female aspect of God was Sophia ("wisdom").

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Deistic principles -

The Cathars believed there were two gods: one good, and one evil. They saw the god of the New Testament as the good God, whereas the god of the Old Testament was the evil God.

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Deistic principles -

The good God was the creator of the spiritual realm, whereas the evil God was the creator of the physical, material plane, and whom the Cathars saw as Satan.

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Trapped angels -

The Cathars also believed that human spirits were the sexless spirits of angels, who had to keep reincarnating until they reached salvation.

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Contrast with Catholicism -

Cathars insisted Jesus had not been born and become flesh and bones, died, and resurrected. Instead, they saw this story as allegoric for the soul's journey through renunciation of the pleasures of the physical world.

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Growth of Catharism -

The Cathars lived in communities in places like Carcassonne, sharing their possessions and looking after each other. It's said the perfecti led such blameless lives and were so eager to help others that they inspired devotion from their followers.

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Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) -

The faith did not remain restricted to peasantry. It made its way upwards through the societal hierarchy, even reaching nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204), the Queen of France and later England, was known for being a Cathar sympathizer.

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South of France -

The Church never really had a strong hold in the South of France. In general, the Cathars here could openly practice their faith, whereas in other areas they had to be more careful and hide it.

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Courtly love and literature -

The emergence of courtly love poetry in France coincides with the time of the Cathars. For instance, Chrétien de Troyes (1130-1190) wrote about elements of the Arthurian legend such as Lancelot's affair with Arthur's queen Guinevere, the quest for the Holy Grail, and was the first to call Arthur's court Camelot.

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Courtly love and literature -

It's been pointed out that Catharism was a probable inspiration for these works. The damsel-in-distress was the feminine principle of God, Sophia, who had been abducted by the Catholic Church. The brave knight in courtly love tales was the Cathar adherent who loved, served, and was sworn to rescue her.

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Cathar lore -

Some say the Templars entrusted the Holy Grail to the Cathars for safekeeping, while others believe the Cathars imparted ancient knowledge to the Knights Templar.

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Catholic controversy -

Pope Innocent III targeted the Cathars from the beginning of his papacy. He sent missionaries to try to persuade the authorities' in Cathar areas to act against them.

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The Albigensian Crusade -

He believed Count Raymond VI of Toulouse was too lenient with the Cathars, and sent his papal legate to excommunicate him. The legate was murdered on his return to Rome, and the Albigensian Crusade was launched in 1209.

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The Albigensian Crusade -

The Albigensian Crusade pitted the French nobles against those of Languedoc, and lasted 20 years. The first targets were the powerful lords of Carcassonne, Béziers, Albi, and the Razes.

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Massacre -

As most Cathars were women, women and children were predominantly massacred by the Crusade. Whole towns were set on fire, with Béziers being burned to the ground.

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Destruction -

After 1209, and the sack of Carcassonne, the destruction of the region continued, while enriching the northern barons who participated.

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Destruction -

By 1229, the 'official' Crusade was over. However, Cathars were still persecuted and northern armies continued to sack villages and murder innocent people.

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Catharism survival -

While the Albigensian Crusade is said to have killed the tolerant culture of the South of France, Catharism itself survived, with those who practiced it doing so in secrecy.

Sources: (Britannica) (World History Encyclopedia) (Cathars and Cathar Beliefs in the Languedoc)

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