Of all the fictional monsters that have pierced society's collective consciousness, none has been so persistent or seductive as the vampire. Tales of the undead preying upon the blood of the living have survived in one form or another for thousands of years and across cultures. "Legends of Blood" traces this fascinating history from the myths of Ancient Greece and Egypt through the Gothic literature of 19th-century Europe and up to the present day, emphasizing how the tales of this alluring creature tap into humanity's most basic and primal fears. This highly readable yet impeccably researched book is a must-have for vampire enthusiasts and scholars alike. Drawing upon such sources as obscure and ancient myths, Romantic literature, and the novels of Anne Rice, "Legends of Blood" sheds new light on the pervasiveness of the vampire myth. It illustrates the relationships that subsist between vampires and witchcraft, religion and sexuality, and show how the myth has adapted to the various intellectual trends of European history. Other topics include "real-life" vampirism such as the macabre tale of Elizabeth Bathory, who murdered some 650 girls and bathed in their blood to restore her legendary beauty.