Vampire of Byzantium

## The Vampire of Byzantium

The Vampire of Byzantium has been of subject of eastern European culture, for centuries. Whether it is mythology or fact, is still being put into question, by many historians, and scholars. It is unclear, what the gender of the Vampire is, for witnesses have described the once human creature, as man, woman, and everything between.

## Birth, Early Life, and Speculation

It is believed, that the human, that later became the infamous creature that haunted the Balkans, was born in Constantinople, under the reign of Constantine VI. Possibly in the 790's, because of the considerable young appearance of the creature, found in later sources, and the fact there was no noticeable vampiric presence, in the Eastern Roman capital prior to the 810's. It is strongly speculated, that the identity of the creature, belonged to a young monk, residing in the Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner at Stoudios, that was going by the name of Kostas. The young monk would likely been coming from a low income family, and it is believed that he was a brilliant religious illustrator. All the illustrations the monks would have made were very likely destroyed, in the destruction of the Monastery by Crusaders in 1204, and later. by the Turks in 1453, after they conquered Constantinople.

It is largely speculated, that the monk was born a woman, although we can never be sure, due to the fluid nature of the gender of the creature, and we are largely unaware, of the abilities the vampirism can give to an individual.

## Death and Transformation

The transformation very likely took place in the early 810's, possibly 811. There is no birth record of the monk Kostas, although, although it is likely they would have been around 18-20 when they died. Since there was no noticeable Vampiric activity in the city before, it is believed the monk was transformed by a traveler.

According to sources of the time, the monk was sent out one night to deliver some transcripts. They never returned. The next day Kostas was found, by another the chief transcriber of the Monastery , who had gone out, in search for them. The young monk was whiter than paper, drained from all of their blood, with violent bite marks, and scratches all over their body, although the autopsy claims they died of severe hemorrhage. It would have been, a vile, slow, and gruesome death. Another monk writes about the suspicious circumstances, following the death, and the funeral proceedings of Kostas: "He brought him in, covered under blankets. Nothing but his face was visible, and that even unrecognizable. Even someone who had doubts, and speculations, about the manhood, or womanhood of Kostas, couldn't know for sure now, for he is just flesh, and bone now. No one was allowed to go near him, not because they might recognize feminine features, that were previously hidden, and now revealed, but because the sight granted you no sleep for a week, and nightmares that even the prayers were afraid to turn away."

Others were bolder, and didn't fear to voice their doubts about the identity of the young Kostas. A monk called Andronicos, wrote "It is for sure a punishment from god, that the witch was so brutally brought to her demise, for she was a temptress, a cursed, that came here to guide us all to put our hand into that one of the devil, make us have sinful lustrous thoughts, that do not belong to a man of god. I humbly thank the Lord that my prayers were answered, and my divine brothers who were so blinded before, can wake up, and be brought again before Him."

Many claim that the chief transcriber had a soft spot for Kostas, and considered them "The closest thing to my own child I could ever have, and the best apprentice I could ask for." Perhaps he knew Kostas true identity, and that is why he didn't let any of the other monks come near their body, and buried them him self. Others say, that Kostas was transcribers secret daughter, and that is why he took so good care of them, and never let anyone openly question their identity. That is however baseless speculation.

Kostas was buried in the monasteries graveyard. Two days after his burial, his grave was found dug up, and people assumed it had been luted. That is when speculation about their vampirism began.

## Vampire life, and other identities

The Vampire of Byzantium has been claimed to be seen, by many thought the years. Their identities have been a noble woman, by the name of Constance, in the 900's, and a Greek tradesman in 1250's.

There had been a claim, that the Vampire had also taken the identity of the Byzantine emperor Alexios V Doukas also known as Mourtzouphlus, that however has been debunked, and has been found out that such a rumor was spread much later by Cretan epic poet Vitsentzos Kornaros, after he wrote about the Vampire.

## Appearance, and Abilities

The Vampire of Byzantium, is know for it's ebony black hair, and ancient Greek characteristics.

It is unknown whether their abilities match those, we found in western Vampires, or if they have additional ones. What we can be sure of is, they need blood to survive, and have inhuman strength. Whether they sparkle in the sun or turn into dust, we can not be sure of, due to the different climate.