Vlad the Impaler who inspired Dracula might have killed 80k people

[FfFfFfFF 58,068]

Dracula, prince of darkness, lord of the undead! This mythical character leaped onto the page from the fevered imagination of Irish writer Bram Stoker in 1897. But the historical figure who shares a name with the literary icon was no less fearsome. Vlad III Draculea was the voivode (a prince-like military leader) of Walachia—a principality that joined with Moldavia in 1859 to form Romania—on and off between 1448 and 1476. Also known as Vlad III, Vlad Dracula (son of the Dragon), and—most famously—Vlad the Impaler, he was a brutal, sadistic leader famous for torturing his foes. By some estimates he is responsible for the deaths of more than 80,000 people in his lifetime—a large percentage of them by impalement.

Vlad III’s cruelty was real, but his reputation as a villain spread through 15th-century Europe thanks to the printing press, whose rise coincided with his reign. Propagandist pamphlets written by his enemies became best sellers. Centuries later, the sinister reputation of Vlad the Impaler took on new life when Stoker came across the name Dracula in an old history book, learned that it could also mean “devil” in Walachia, and gave the name to his fictional vampire.

Walachia had been ravaged by the ceaseless Ottoman-Hungarian conflict and the internecine strife among feuding boyars. Trade had ceased, fields lay fallow, and the land was overrun by lawlessness. Vlad III began his reign with a strict crackdown on crime, employing a zero-tolerance policy for even minor offenses, such as lying. He handpicked commoners, even foreigners, for public positions, a move to cement power by creating officials who were completely dependent on him. As voivode, he could appoint, dismiss, and even execute his new officials at will.

Vlad III might have been a mere footnote of the Middle Ages if it were not for a book published in 1820. Written by William Wilkinson, the British consul to Walachia, An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia: With Various Political Observations Relating to Them delves into the region’s history and mentions the notorious warlord Vlad the Impaler.

Bram Stoker never visited Vlad’s homeland but was known to have come across Wilkinson’s book in 1890. Afterward, he wrote the following: “Voivode (Dracula): Dracula in Wallachian language means DEVIL. Wallachians were accustomed to give it as a surname to any person who rendered himself conspicuous either by courage, cruel actions, or cunning.” While the life of Vlad the Impaler had long since ended, the enduring legend of Dracula was just beginning.

 

Source - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/history-magazine/article/vlad-the-impalers-thirst-for-blood-was-one-inspiration-behind-count-dracula?

[f r i c z k o 39]

I am from Hungary, I've been told about him when I was a kid. The version I was told that he was insane and drank the blood of his victims. 

[Jasoneg1990 232]

So what. I’ve probably killed more. At least in my head while serving/bartending. 😂

[FfFfFfFF 58,068]

1 minute ago, Jasoneg1990 said:

So what. I’ve probably killed more. At least in my head while serving/bartending. 😂

This is me being horrified at your 80 000+ body count:

 

[Chlorine 47,976]

I never realized but Vlad the Impaler sounds dirty to me now. 

[NichuuB 43,788]

Such a sweet guy

[Guest]

14 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said:

This is me being horrified at your 80 000+ body count:

 

you look like adele.

[littlepotter 76,610]

25 minutes ago, Jasoneg1990 said:

So what. I’ve probably killed more. At least in my head while serving/bartending. 😂

You can serve/kill me any day sir 

[River 127,331]

Bloody Vlady

[Killa 18,817]

1 hour ago, Jasoneg1990 said:

So what. I’ve probably killed more. At least in my head while serving/bartending. 😂

Drain me, dad

[PunkTheFunk 125,703]

Edward Cullen is quacking

[Fancies Loom 135]

an icon. a legend.  the one & only

[Not The Real Gaga 7,582]

2 hours ago, FfFfFfFF said:

This is me being horrified at your 80 000+ body count:

 

And still not a soa

[FfFfFfFF 58,068]

Fun fact: Despite the fact Braun Castle is most famous for its association with Vlad the Impaler, there is 0 proof that he even visited it

 

[TheDemonIClingTo 1,018]

3 hours ago, PunkTheFunk said:

Edward Cullen is quacking

Ed Cullen, what a sissy. Good thing we have real vamps Eric Northman and Lestat