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Lykaon (legend) by Crimson-MoonDS

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Lykaon
THE Legend OF THE Lycanthrope OR "Werewolf"

The word lycanthrope (Greek lykanthropos, meaning "wolf-man" or "werewolf") had its origins in the cult of Zeus on Mount Lykaios in Arkadia. It was here, according to Greek myth, that King Lykaon sacrificed an infant to the god and was transformed into a wolf. Local legend went on to recount that an initiate into the secret rites of the Zeus Lykaios would undergo a similar metamorphosis, being transformed into wolf for a period of nine years. If he abstained from human flesh during this period, he would regain his human form.

Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 2. 1 - 6 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"Lykaon brought a human baby to the altar of Zeus Lykaios, and sacrificed it, pouring out its blood upon the altar, and according to the legend immediately after the sacrifice he was changed from a man to a wolf (lykos) . . .

All through the ages, many events that have occurred in the past, and even some that occur to-day, have been generally discredited because of the lies built up on a foundation of fact. It is said, for instance, that ever since the time of Lykaon a man has changed into a wolf at the sacrifice to Zeus Lykaios, but that the change is not for life; if, when he is a wolf, he abstains from human flesh, after nine years he becomes a man again, but if he tastes human flesh he remains a beast for ever."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 38. 6 - 7 :

"Among the marvels of Mount Lykaios the most wonderful is this. On it is a precinct of Zeus Lykaios, into which people are not allowed to enter. If anyone takes no notice of the rule and enters, he must inevitably live no longer than a year. A legend, moreover, was current that everything alike within the precinct, whether beast or man, cast no shadow. For this reason when a beast takes refuge in the precinct, the hunter will not rush in after it, but remains outside, and though he sees the beast can behold no shadow . . . On the highest point of the mountain [Lykaios] is a mound of earth, forming an altar of Zeus Lykaios, and from it most of the Peloponnesos can be seen. Before the altar on the east stand two pillars, on which there were of old gilded eagles. On this altar they sacrifice in secret to Zeus Lykaios. I was reluctant to pry into the details of the sacrifice; let them be as they are and were from the beginning."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 6. 8. 2 :

"[On the statues of Olympic victors dedicated at Olympia :] As to the boxer, by name Damarkhos, an Arkadian of Parrhasia, I cannot believe (except, of course, his Olympic victory) what romancers say about him, how he changed his shape into that of a wolf at the sacrifice of Zeus Lyakaios (Wolf), and how nine years after he became a man again. Nor do I think that the Arkadians either record this of him, otherwise it would have been recorded as well in the inscription at Olympia."

N.B. Pliny the Elder and several Christian writers of the Roman era--Augustine, Porphyry and Eusebius--also describe the cult.
© DevinSanders. All rights reserved, 14 days ago

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Lykaon (legend)

Crimson-MoonDS

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