In the Middle Ages and the periods following, a double standard regarding epileptics was followed.

Knowledge that such a notables as Julius Caesar (100-44BC) was epileptic motivated many to consider this condition to be a sign of remarkable ability. So these people received deference or even favor. This was the policy toward the "high born" and the nonpoor.

But, since there was no recording or folk tradition about this condition among notable poor of the past, the condition evaluated unfavorably in succeeding generations. In the Middle Ages, "fits" of epilepsy, especially among women, were taken as "signs of demonic possession" -- even leading to the burning or hanging of these unfortunates as witches.

Some scholars suggest that some of the women hung as witches following the "Salem Witch Trials" were suffering from epilepsy.