Werewolves Also called lycanthropes derived from an ancient Roman myth by Ovid called the Metamorphoses. A ruler named King Lycaon was prone to cannibalism and serving human meat to his guests. This displeased the gods and Jupiter(Zeus) got pissed off about this and turned him into a wolf so that it wouldn't be as horrible a deed. (Zeus has a tendency for shapeshifting apparently) But how did the legend of the werewolf last so long anyway? There are bits and pieces of documented history where people have been executed for being werewolves. In fact, witches were accused of being werewolves due to their "shapeshifting powers". Kill two birds with one stone? As we know, false confessions are often extracted from torture sessions. (A practice which still carries on to this day.) Just add a dose of pain and voila you have your "evidence" of a werewolf. Scapegoats were also needed when livestock or poultry was found all eaten up. Damage control wasn't as controlled back then. An interesting theory to the whole werewolf thing lies with serial killers. "So, I heard your husband's cheating on you." Peter Stumpp was an infamous serial killer who was executed on October 31 1589. (Happy Halloween!) He engaged in murder, rape and cannibalism until he was caught and confessed to being a werewolf and practicing black magic. Take note, he confessed under torture. His mistress and daughter were also tortured and executed brutally along with him. Why them too? Well, they were accused of possessing knowledge of his acts and also having sex with him. Yes, his daughter was executed for being a rape victim. Lovely times. "The wheels on the bus go.." "**** YOU MAN" To conclude, I believe the werewolf legend continued for as long as it did because people refused to believe that humans were capable of things like cannibalism. It felt easier to pin it on something else. Like an evil force of the supernatural. Also, rabies. It could have explained rabies to them. Who knows?