Werewolves have fascinated humankind for thousands of years. These mythical creatures that transform from human to wolf have appeared in legends and folklore around the world throughout history. But what is the earliest known werewolf myth? Let’s explore the origins of werewolf mythology and the oldest werewolf tales on record.
Earliest Werewolf Myths
While werewolves are most commonly associated with medieval Europe, myths about people shapeshifting into wolves first emerged much earlier in history. Some of the earliest werewolf tales can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman mythology before the first century CE.
Lycaon – Ancient Greece
One of the very first werewolf myths dates back to Greek mythology and the story of Lycaon, which was recorded as early as the 1st century BCE. According to legend, Lycaon was a cruel king of Arcadia who tested Zeus’ divinity by serving him a meal made of human flesh. In punishment for this gruesome deed, Zeus transformed Lycaon into a wolf.
This tale,which was mentioned by the Roman poet Ovid in his Metamorphoses in 8 CE, has been interpreted as an origin story for werewolves and the word “lycanthropy”, the supernatural transformation of a human into a wolf. The myth demonstrates that ideas about werewolves and humans shifting into wolves have existed in early Greco-Roman civilization.
Damarchus – Ancient Greece
Another ancient Greek origin myth about a man named Damarchus also hints at early werewolf lore. In the 2nd century CE, the Greek geographer Pausanias shared the legend of how Zeus turned Damarchus into a wolf for nine years as punishment for sacrificing a child. This early tale also links lycanthropy to divine punishment.
Versipellis – Ancient Rome
The Romans also shared early myths and folklore about werewolf creatures. Roman poets like Ovid and Virgil used the word “versipellis”, meaning “turnskin”, to describe people who could shift between human and animal form. This term may have referred to werewolves and underscores how the concept existed in Ancient Roman culture.
Early European Werewolf Tales
While the ancient Greeks and Romans originated werewolf mythology, these myths became especially prolific across medieval Europe. European folklore includes various early werewolf tales that helped define the modern werewolf legend.
Petronius’ Satyricon – 1st Century CE
One of the earliest European werewolf myths can be found in the Satyricon, written in the 1st century CE by Roman courtier Petronius. In section 61-62 of this work, the character Niceros describes his friend unexpectedly turning into a wolf in the middle of dinner. This vignette is thought to be the first werewolf story set in Europe.
The Epic of Gilgamesh – ca. 2000 BCE
While not strictly European, The Epic of Gilgamesh emerged from ancient Mesopotamia and contains a possible early werewolf reference. In tablet XI, the goddess Ishtar threatens to turn Gilgamesh into a wolf after he scorns her advances. This poem is one of the earliest known pieces of literature, inferred to be as old as 2000 BCE.
Marie de France’s Bisclavret – 12th Century CE
Among the most famous early werewolf stories is Marie de France’s Bisclavret, written in the 12th century CE. De France tells the tale of a baron who transforms into a werewolf three days a week. When his secret is discovered by his wife, he is trapped in wolf form. This influential poem helped define the werewolf as a tragic figure.
The Beast of Gévaudan – 1764 to 1767
One of the most notorious werewolf tales originated in 18th century France. Between 1764 and 1767, the Beast of Gévaudan killed over 100 people, mostly women and children. Though the creature was likely an unusually large wolf, legends emerged that it was a werewolf. The story captured public imagination and terror.
Medieval European Werewolf Trials
As werewolf myths proliferated in medieval Europe, prosecution of accused werewolves also grew. There are records of various trials and executions of supposed werewolves across France, Germany, and Switzerland between the 16th and 17th centuries.
Peter Stumpp – 1589
One famous werewolf trial was that of German Peter Stumpp in 1589. Also known as Peter Stube, he was a farmer accused of being a werewolf who killed livestock and hunted human beings. After being tortured, Stumpp confessed to making a pact with the devil. He was gruesomely executed.
Michel Verdun – 1521
In France, Michel Verdun was sentenced to death in 1521 for lycanthropy. He also confessed under torture to murdering and eating children in wolf form. Verdun was burned alive at a stake.
Gilles Garnier – 1573
Another notorious French werewolf trial was that of Gilles Garnier in 1573. Known as the “Werewolf of Dole”, Garnier burned at the stake after confessing to being a lycanthrope that preyed on children. Tales of his gruesome deeds contributed to werewolf legend.
Key Features of Early Werewolf Myths
Though werewolf myths span different cultures and eras, many early stories share key themes and features that define the archetypal werewolf legend.
Punishment for Evil Deeds
In many early myths, people become werewolves as divine punishment for misdeeds like murder, cannibalism, and deceit. Lycaon and Damarchus became wolves for offending the gods. Being a werewolf serves as a curse.
Wolf Transformation
Central to all werewolf tales is the human transforming into a ravenous wolf. Early myths establish shapeshifting as the core werewolf trait, with people oscillating between human and beast form.
Loss of Control
Afflicted werewolves lose control of themselves when transformed into a wolf. The beastly nature takes over, often causing violence and slaughter. This lack of free will adds to the werewolf’s horror.
Sympathetic Monsters
While werewolves behave monstrously in wolf form, some early stories portray them as sympathetic victims of a curse. Verdun, Stumpp and Garnier elicited both fear and pity.
Conclusion
Werewolf mythology has existed for millennia, with some of the oldest tales tracing back to ancient Greco-Roman civilization. But medieval Europe spawned the most early werewolf legends and helped define the werewolf as we know it today. Through key recurring motifs, early myths across cultures established many core werewolf traits and the dualistic human-wolf nature that terrifies and intrigues us.