Ancient History

One of the biggest paranormal associations we have with Halloween is with ghosts. Ghosts have been feared by the living since the dawn of time, with many tales and legends surrounding them. One of the oldest references to ghosts comes from the ancient story of Gilgamesh. In the story, the hero talks with the ghost of his dead friend, showing that people have been seeing apparitions for thousands of years.

England is probably one of the most haunted places in the world. In the Tower of London, people have claimed to see the ghosts of nobles that lived and died within its walls, including those of the little princes who were thought to be killed by their uncle, Richard III, and of the many wives of Henry VIII. There is even a story about an old woman who was hacked to death by an executioner. It seems that to this day, she runs throughout the Tower, screaming in agony.

The Greeks had many stories about ghosts. Homer wrote about them in the Illiad, and Virgil spoke of them in the Aeneid. Even the historian, Pliny the Younger, told stories about ghosts who rattled chains and haunted houses. It is thought that Brutus, one of those that murdered Julius Caesar, saw his ghost before going into battle. Brutus believed seeing Caesar’s ghost was an omen and committed suicide.

Throughout history, it seems that the dead have come back to visit the living. There are many theories as to why this happens, but one thing holds true. There are more to all these ghost stories than meets the eye.