This blog, titled “Wolves and Werewolves: Origin Stories and Mythology,” seeks to uncover the deep-rooted origins and tales of these fascinating creatures.
Wolves have been both revered and feared in various cultures. In ancient Rome, the she-wolf that nursed the city’s founders, Romulus and Remus, is a symbol of Rome’s origins.
Native American tribes like the Pawnee viewed the wolf as a totemic animal, a symbol of courage and hunting prowess. In ancient Egypt, the wolf god Wepwawet was revered as a scout, going before the armies and guiding them on their campaigns.
The concept of humans turning into animals isn’t unique to werewolves. Yet, the werewolf mythos stands out. Europe is where much of the werewolf lore we’re familiar with today originated.
Ancient Greek writers wrote of lycanthropy. Herodotus, the historian, mentioned a tribe who transformed into wolves for several days annually.
In medieval Europe, the werewolf became synonymous with danger. Tales spread of men turning into wolves during the full moon, driven by a bloodlust.
The process of transformation was often painful and depicted as a curse. The Middle Ages brought a darker turn to the werewolf myth.
Lycanthropy, from the Greek words “lykos” (wolf) and “anthropos” (man), describes the transformation of a person into a wolf, a concept deeply embedded in folklore.