vlad the impaler

Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler, was a 15th-century Prince of Wallachia known for his extreme cruelty, which he used to terrorize enemies and maintain control. His horrific reputation, fueled by printing press propaganda and later used to inspire Bram Stoker's Dracula, has overshadowed his legacy as a national hero who defended Romania against foreign invaders like the Ottomans. His preferred method of execution was impalement, a gruesome act that earned him his infamous nickname. Who was Vlad the Impaler? Name and Title: Vlad III Drăculea, or Vlad Țepeș (Vlad the Impaler), served as Prince of Wallachia (a historical region of modern-day Romania) multiple times in the 15th century. Origin: He was born around 1431, the son of Vlad II Dracul, a member of the Order of the Dragon. Reputation: While remembered as a national hero in Romania for his fierce resistance against foreign powers, he is infamous in the English-speaking world for his brutality. His Cruelty and "Impaler" Title Impalement: His most dreaded tactic was impalement, a gruesome torture and execution method that involved piercing enemies on sharp stakes. Propaganda: His ruthlessness, though used for political purposes and to inspire fear in his enemies, was amplified by contemporary propaganda, particularly German pamphlets that circulated widely thanks to the new printing press. Legacy National Hero: In Romania, Vlad is often seen as a significant ruler who fought for his nation's independence and stability against the encroaching Ottoman Empire. Inspiration for Dracula: His sinister reputation, particularly his use of the surname Drăculea, which means "son of the devil," was a major inspiration for Bram Stoker's fictional vampire, Count Dracula.