In films vampires and werewolves are often depicted as having a blood feud, but

in traditional folklore they were not necessarily bitter enemies.

The werewolf and vampire are similar in many ways. They both hunt human prey, wh
ich might make them natural rivals. However, the werewolf and vampire myths spri
ng from very different origins.
Origin of the Werewolf
The werewolf appears as an ancient figure in folklore throughout the world. In G
reek mythology, Lycaon displeased the deity Zeus, who turned him into a wolf. Th
is is where the term lycanthropy originated, and is one of the oldest tales of a
man turning into a wolf.
In Europe and the Late Middle Ages, belief in werewolves spread. Werewolf tales
were prevalent in France. The French name for werewolf is loup-garou. In sixteen
th century France, there were many accounts of men being tried for becoming were
wolves. Incidences of lycanthopy have been reported throughout the world in mode
rn as well as ancient times.
Origin of the Vampire
Vampire lore is varied, but usually has to do with death or is associated with t
he grieving process. The Lamia, a vampire of Greece, attacked children and sucke
d their blood after having a stillborn child. Vampire tales often served as a wa
rning to those tempted to lead an evil lifestyle. If they were bad, they might b
ecome a vampire.
In European tales, an unexpected or sudden death, suicide, or improper funeral o
r burial might also cause a vampire to rise from the grave. After the death of a
loved one, that person came back to attack the family. The victims of vampires
suffered from nightmares and appeared to have a wasting disease. The vampires mu
ltiplied by contaminating members of their family or community.
The vampire of literature was a more romantic vision of the vampire. Bram Stoker s
novel Dracula strongly influenced vampire myths.
Vyrkolakas Werewolf or Vampire?
Werewolves and vampires existed side by side in the mythologies of many cultures
. Among Slavic tribes in the Balkans, young warriors ritually transformed into w
olves by the wearing of pelts.
Over the centuries Vyrkolakas lost its meaning as the rituals disappeared. By th
e 16th century, the meaning had changed to vampire. There was a Slavic belief th
at those who had been werewolves in life would become vampires after death.
Blood Feud Between Vampires and Werewolves
The battle between vampires and werewolves is most evident in the 2003 film Unde
rworld. However, a blood feud between vampires and werewolves is more of movie c
oncept than one based on traditional legend. In legend, werewolves and vampires
simply did not have much contact. In some, they shared a connection, but were no
t necessarily mortal enemies.
There have been allusions to a battle between vampires and werewolves called the
Trajanic Wars. In 101-102 and 105-106, there were two short wars between the Ro
man Empire during Trajan s rule, and the Dacian kingdom, which had become a threat
to the Empire. It was said that during that event the Dacian vampires betrayed
the werewolves, which were their servants, to the Romans, and this unforgiveable
act caused werewolves and vampires to become eternal enemies. Though the Trajan
ic War (also called the Dacian War) is a true part of history, the vampire and w
erewolf angle, of course, is only a myth
In the popular film Twilight, the vampires and werewolves have been feuding for
centuries, but have learned to coexist by means of a pact between them. Vampire
and werewolves, it appears, may learn to tolerate each other, but they will prob
ably never be the best of friends.