Werewolves Throughout History

By Clairekokinda
  • 1550 BCE

    The First Werewolf

    1550 BC – King Lycaon of Arcadia served human flesh to Zeus and was transformed into a wolf as a punishment. This is where the term “Lycanthrope” comes from.
  • 440 BCE

    Damarchus

    400 BC – An Olympic boxer, named Damarchus, was an Arcadian of Parrhasia. He claimed to have been transformed into a wolf at the sacrifice of Lycaean, the man who was turned into a wolf by Zeus. However, nine years after he became a man again.
  • 1020

    Werewolves in English

    1020 – First use of the word “werewulf” is recorded in the English language.

  • Werewolves in Literature

    1812 – The Grimm Brothers publish their version of “Little Red Riding Hood" which features a werewolf.

  • "The Book of Were-Wolves"

    1865 – “The Book of Were-Wolves” is written and published by Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould. One of the first and most important books on werewolves.

  • Werewolves in Movies

    1941 – The first werewolf movie is released. It was “The Wolf Man” starring Lon Chaney Jr.

  • Four-Legged Werewolves

    1981 – The film “An American Werewolf in London” is released. This was the first introduction of the four-footed werewolf.

  • Teenage Werewolves

    1985 - Popular teen movie "Teen Wolf" starring Michael J. Fox is released. Depicts a teenage boy as a part-time werewolf

  • Modern-Day Werewolves

    2000s - Werewolves are still seen in popular movies nowadays, such as the Harry Potter and Twilight series.