Im writing a story and i was doing some research and i found out that it is rumored that the first vampire came from the lamia. In Greek mythology, Lamia was the daughter of Libya and Belus. According to the legend, Zeus engaged in an affair with Lamia. Hera, furious that her husband had cheated on her yet again, punished the unfortunate Lamia. As a result of Hera's wrath, Lamia was compelled to eat her own children. She also made Lamia unable to close her eyes, so that she couldn't find any rest from the obsessing image of her dead children. When Zeus saw what had be done to Lamia, he felt pity for her and gave his former lover a gift: she could remove her eyes, and then put them on again. This way, though sleepless, she could rest from her misfortune. Lamia envied the other mothers and took her vengeance by stealing their children and devouring them. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Lamia is usually described as a sort of bogey-woman. Her story was chilling and more than a bit macabre - perfect for frightening small children. It is said that Greek mothers sometimes told their children this tale in order to make them behave. The ancient Greeks believed that the Lamia was a vampire who stole little children to drink their blood. She was portrayed as a snake-like creature with a female head and breasts. Usually female, but sometimes referred to as a male or a hermaphrodite. It was said that the lamia couldnt make others of her kind, just vampires and those vampires could make more.

I thought this theory was very interesting because until i started doing research i have never heard of it.

Lamia wasn't a vampire as she ate her victims blood, bones, meat and all, her children where vampires "after she became a monster"

the oldest vampire type creatures in mythology would be the "Uttuku" blood sucking ghost from Sumerion, and Akkadian mythology also called by diiferent yet simular names. This creature is the oldest known record of an undead blood sucker in written history/mythology.

I misstitled i should have put
I never said she was the first vampire i said "that it is rumored that the first vampire came FROM the lamia" also " The ancient Greeks believed that the Lamia was a vampire who stole little children to drink their blood." not that she was, that to the ancient greeks she was. also "It was said that the lamia couldnt make others of her kind, just vampires and those vampires could make more." sorry that my post was misinturpreted

i mistitled i should have put something fifferent like the ancint greeks belief of the first vampire

Always thought Dracula was the first cvampire. Thanks for the lesson guys. :).

*Keeps there eyes pinned to this thread, to see more. :).*

EternalGoth

I'd say Dracula is the world's best known vampire, thanks to Bram Stoker. Most cultures in the world have vampire legends. There's some good stuff - legends etc in the rest of this forum, if you're of a mind to research :)

i don't know if any of these are the real story of the first vampyr. believe that like humans vampyrs evolved.

Elocin, I think that the mythology slant you have taken to help create your story is a noble one. Many good stories can take a few pieces of mythological speculation and run with it. I'm not a big believer in MT Olympus. But if that's an excepted part of the writing it has all kinds of potential for a fun story.

I have to agree with this. I think Vampires evolved from humans, madmen who had an insatiable thirst for blood.

Dylan.

Why does that always seem to come up?? Vampires Evolve from humans who are madmen... Hmmmm In My opnion that is only half true and to quote a very wise woman on this one "only ones that have risen from a bad death" are the ones who are Madmen.. Also a segment of that one person I look to as my mentor and teacher also said that There are certian classes such as the Psi... Who are mostly classified as healers IE shamen/shameness...

Not saying that all are just that Not all vamps are the same...

And yea sure there are some nuts out there but what the hey we all got prollems... But that does not mean we or anyone else be it Human or Vampire are madmen...

Mystress Kaileah

It's amazing how widespread vampire myth is. Literally every culture has some variant of vampire myth as well as cannibal monsters (ie, the original European vision of werewolves.) Explanations that such myths spring from madmen or porphyria really are dissatisfying on an emotional level.

Personally, it seems to me that the very nature of blood, confused with vital force and shcokingly red, is an ideal metaphor for any sort of myth that deals with death, resurrection, or the feared unknown. I suppose what I'm trying to say is: if you reallyt hink about the effect that seeing a bleeding human being has on other humans, you will be unsurprised at the commonality of the vampire myths.

That being said, I'd have to give Rhuen the point of tracking down the first-known vampire myths (although I would be interested to see if the Chinese have any that predate the Sumerian, call it my curiousity) and that the thread starter here has some good information about Lamia. Good job everyone!

Most of the books I've read say that Lillith was the first vampire. Adam's first wife. Not that I absolutely agree with that or anything.

The Nephilim or the sons of Kain or Lillith are all possibilities..

first did u just post that to get your add up and second how do u vote

Well I've heard alot of stories and theories about the first vampire , one of the theories of the first vampire is the "Sweet Darkness", (Mother of all Vampires.) Anyway, the saying goes that she has been in a deep sleep for over a millenia.If she ever was to awaken, humanity as we now know it would cease to exist.

What I've heard of a Lamia she has the lower body of a snake and the upper body of a woman.She can change to a full human shape effortlessly. The tales I've heard was that she was a seductress, a killer of men. But I've never heard of the connection to Vampires.

To answer all the texts above so can I just sáy this.
Lamia is not a vampire.
Dracula were born in the Dark ages.
uttuku is not the first vampire he is not even a vampire.
The first vampire has always been and will always remain to to be Kain who slaughtered his brother Abel.
Lillith is not the first vampire but she do is the dark mother.
She was the one that helped Kain after his curse.