Greece - Álitos, Anaikatoumenos, Anakathoumenos, Anarracho, Bruculaco, Callicantzaros, Catacano, Empusa, Ephialtae, Keres, Lamiai, Mvrylolakas, Tympanios, Tympaníaios, Vourkalakas, Vrykólakas

Álitos: Mentioned in Montague Summers book, but further research is needed. It is quite possible that this is an erroneous spelling of Álytos {A Greek term meaning "undissolved," describing the remarkable physical preservation of a vampire or revenant}. I have also seen Álytoi used.

Anaikatoumenos: Mentioned in Montague's books, but still under research.

Anakathoumenos: Mentioned in Montague's books, and possibly just a variation of Anaikatoumenos, but still under research.

Anarracho: Mentioned in Montague's books, but still under research.

Bruculaco: This creature has swollen, hard skin (as if tanned) and sounds like a drum when struck and it also spreads the plague. It can scream once per night, if you answer the call you will die. Cut of its head and either burn or boil it to kill it for good.

Callicantzaros: A child born between Christmas and the Twelfth Night (5 January) becomes a Callicantzaros after death - appearing between Christmas and Twelfth Night each year to tear people to pieces with its extended fingernails. The rest of the year it exists in some nether world.

Catacano: This creature (known as the happy vampire) grins constantly, showing its pearly whites. It spits blood on people who subsequently become its victims if they are hit by said bloody discharge - it burns. To kill it, isolate it behind salt water or boil its head in vinegar.

Empusa: (also called 'Mormolykiai' or 'Mormo') The Empusas were vampire-demon attendants of Hecate, a Goddess from Greek mythology. These demons would often manifest themselves in human form, most commonly as Phoenician woman, and go about attacking people at night.

Ephialtae: A vampire of ancient Greece. Further research required.

Keres: The Keres are sharp-clawed creatures clad in red. They are terrifying creatures that drink the blood of their victims. The Keres execute the Fates' commands. They are often seen hovering around battlefields.

Lamiai: This vampire originates from Greek myth in which the first Lamiai was a Queen of Libya who went insane following the murder of her children by Hera. In revenge she began to travel the earth drinking blood and feeding on the flesh of infants and, like the 'Succubus' and other such 'sexual' demons, would appear as a beautiful woman to seduce men into lovemaking then devour them in a gruesome fashion. After feeding, the Lamiai would take out its eyes in order to rest and it was only then that she could be destroyed.

Mvrylolakas: Quite probably a regional version of Vrykólakas, otherwise under continued research.

Tympanios: Possibly another beneficial vampire, similar to the Italian 'Stregoni benefici'. There is also the possibility that it is an erroneous spelling of Tympaníaios. Timpanios has been seen several times also, but I am unsure if this is a misspelling, a slang term, or possibly a whole other creature.

Tympaníaios: Originally a name for the returning dead generally not feared and treated with respect.

Vourkalakas: Although a term used in Greece, it is assumed to be of Slav origin (Vurkolak) and the form of vampire also occurred in areas populated by Slavs. Ample information about vampires is provided in 17th-18th century writings when the Church took an active part in fighting these demons. Those who were excommunicated, violently murdered, buried not in keeping with the customs, those who were conceived or born on important holidays, were not baptized, sorcerers and others became Vurkolatsi. The Vurkolak squeezed the sleeping. Following the fortieth day after death, it became particularly strong. It could get married wherever it was a stranger, and could also have children.

Vrykólakas: Tales of this vampire are documented in both Greece and Macedonia. People were generally believed to become one of these if they had committed suicide or had suffered a violent death. Those who led an immoral life were also thought to become a 'Vrykolaka'. Like many other common myths it was necessary for the vampire to request entry and be admitted into the household in order to be fully able to attack. The 'Vrykolaka' would, therefore, call the name of its intended victim at the door of that person's home and then, once inside, would sit on the individual's chest until they suffocated to death. In reality, the reason for the 'victim's' death was more likely a heart-attack as the feeling of a constricted chest (and indeed of being sat upon) is a usual symptom. The term is possibly derived from the older Slavic compound term 'vblk'b dlaka', which originally meant wolf pelt wearer.


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