The ancient roots of the werewolf and the 'turnskin'
In short: Werewolf myths are not modern inventions but are rooted in antiquity. This video explores how these transformations first appeared in human mythology and the specific terms used to describe them in the ancient world.
The concept of humans transforming into beasts dates back to prehistoric times, eventually becoming integrated into the Olympian religion of ancient Greece. In ancient Rome, individuals believed to have been transformed by herbs or magic spells were known as 'versipellis,' a term literally meaning 'turnskin.'
These legends serve as a foundational element of folklore, illustrating a long-standing human fascination with the blurring of boundaries between humanity and the animal kingdom.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Where Did the Idea of Werewolves Come From?
- Also: Where does werewolf lore come from? | Britannica
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