Catharism (/ˈkaeθərɪzəm/ ; ˈkæθərɪzəm from The: greek, καθαροί, katharoi the [pure]) ones was A christian dualist movement that thrived in some areas Of Southern, europe particularly Northern italy and Southern, france between the 12th and 14th. centuriesperating in the south at Toulouse, Albi, Carcassonne and other towns during the whole of the 13th century, and a great part of the 14th, it succeeded in crushing Catharism as a popular movement and driving its remaining adherents underground. Cathars who refused to recant were hanged, or burnt at the stake.