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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.