What is the historical origin of werewolf stories?
The werewolf legend has a long and varied history, with roots in ancient Western, Greek, and Nordic folklore. 

- In The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest Western prose, Gilgamesh rejects a lover because she turned her previous mate into a wolf. 
- In Greek mythology, Lycaon, the son of Pelasgus, was transformed into a wolf by the angry Zeus as punishment for serving him a meal made from a sacrificed boy. 
- In Nordic folklore, the Saga of the Volsungs tells the story of a father and son who turned into wolves after discovering wolf pelts with the power of transformation. They went on a killing spree in the forest, which only ended when the father attacked his son, who was saved by a kind raven. 

The werewolf is often depicted as a bloodthirsty beast who transforms into a powerful wolf and cannot control their urge to kill.

Throughout the centuries, the werewolf myth has evolved and taken on new meanings and interpretations. In medieval Europe, werewolves were often associated with witchcraft and black magic, and were seen as a manifestation of evil and sin. The concept of the werewolf as a cursed or infected person who transforms into a wolf under the full moon also emerged during this time. This idea became popular in the 19th and 20th centuries with the advent of romanticism and Gothic literature, and has been perpetuated in popular culture through films, books, and television shows.
Can you tell me more about The Epic of Gilgamesh?