Vampires in modern mythology have been romanticized and looked at in a whole different light than our forefathers seemed to view the undead creatures of the night. The basic idea of these creatures (the European versions, though other cultures address the beasts as well) was likely based on cultural concepts involving nobility "stealing" from the poor; working the peasants to the bone while taking the lion's share of the fruits of labor, not sullying their hands with manual labor, partying all night and sleeping all day. Angel: The Complete Series (DVD)