by Lisa Davis

Created on: June 11, 2009

Vampires - could they be real or are they merely myths of old? Come with me as I explore this age old question. One of the most interesting things about vampires is that unlike most "monster" lore, they are deeply rooted in almost every part of the world. The history of the vampire dates as far back as the beginning of time with Lillith. She is believed to be the very first vampire. According to Hebrew Legend, Lillith was Adam's first wife, but she left Adam's side to dwell with the forces of darkness. There are many different variations about Lillith. Some believe she was Eve and transformed into the evil form of Lillith who left the Garden of Eden to feed upon young children. According to Assyrian-Babylonian legend she was a ravenous sexual entrepreneour. Additionally believed to be the first wife of Adam, created as his siamese twin or directly from filth. She demanded equality from Adam and upon trying to force himself on her she uttered a magical phrase using the name of God, rose into the air and flew away. Lillith also appears in Jewish Folklore as a evil demoness who throttles babies in their sleep, seduces men and drinks their blood.

In ancient Persia there was an image was found on a vase that depicts a man's struggle with a huge creature attempting to suck his blood. 6th Century B.C. China depicts myths of revenants or living dead. Legends also exist among those in India, Malaysia, Polynesia, the lands of the Aztecs and Eskimos. Even in Roman and Greek mythology believed in blood thirsty Goddesses who did drink blood, however were not charactarized as "living dead."

in the 11th Century it is documented that many witches and doctors used virgin blood to cure illnesses. Also during this same time there were corpses found in tact that caused a huge vampire scare in Europe. Beliefs started to surface that if someone died and did not receive last rites, or committed suicide, or even those who were excommunicated would return to the world as revenants. In the Renaissance Era belief in vampirism continued only sporadically. In the 14th Century this vampirism beliefs and fears grew in epidemic proportions in central European Regions. The Bubonic Plauge was thought to be caused by Vampires. Fear and panic of the spread of infection led to burials of those who were not truly verified as deceassed. During this time it was noted of the "undead" rising from the grave. A person mistakingly buried alive would scratch and claw their way out of the grave and

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