10 Mind-Blowing Facts You Never Knew About Hannibal Lecter

It may not come as much of a surprise to learn that Lecter is from an aristocratic, ancient Lithuanian lineage, the family name dating back to the 14th century. Lecter was born on 20th January 1933 in Vilnius, Lithuania to parents of a long line of wealthy families. His father was simply known as 'Count Lecter,' while his mother, Madame Simonetta Sforza-Lecter, was descended from two distinct lines - Visconti and Sforza, who ruled Milan and the surrounding areas in Italy for over 250 years.

Hannibal's father, Count Lecter, was a direct descendant of a Teutonic warlord, Hannibal The Grim, who secured his territory in a series of bloody battles around the year 1410. 'Castle Lecter' was constructed over a five year period, using captured prisoners as slave labour and remained the family home for centuries to come.

Author Thomas Harris had suggested that Lecter may have also been descended from another bloodline, that of Giuliano Bevisangue, a ruthless figure in 12th century Tuscany, himself a descendant of Machiavelli, which would certainly explain a lot. The name 'Bevisangue' literally translates as 'blood-drinker' which also fits nicely with Hannibal's chosen life style and Lecter is rumoured to have used the Caponi Library in Florence, posing as Dr. Fell, to research this possible ancient family history.

Hannibal is also the name of the great second century BC Carthaginian general. A mighty inspiration indeed.