Old World Vampirism Curiosity Questions

Students were curious about the following elements of vampire mythology:

• Why did Lilith get excluded from the Bible but was included in the Talmud?
• Why were vampires believed to be obsessive compulsive in Transylvanian folklore?
• Why does a large black dog with a painted set of eyes on its forehead repel a vampire?
• Did the Roman interpretation of the vampire stem from conflicts with the indigenous, barbarian European tribes (i.e., the Gauls)?
• If one was targeted as a living vampire in his/her community, did they then lead an isolated existence?
• What is it about human nature that causes us to create blood-sucking and often immortal beings?
• How do historical examples of individuals bathing in human blood align or contrast with Deuteronomy 12:33 ("The blood is the life.")?
• Why does one need to bury a vampire at a crossroads to induce a "final" death?