Vlad The Impaler

Biography

Vlad III, commonly known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula, was born between 1428 and 1431 and served as voivode of Wallachia three times between 1448 and his death in 1476 or 1477. He was the second son of Vlad Dracul, who became the ruler of Wallachia in 1436. In 1442, Vlad and his younger brother, Radu, were taken hostage by the Ottoman Empire to ensure their father's loyalty. Following the invasion of Wallachia by John Hunyadi in 1447, Vlad's father and older brother, Mircea, were murdered. Hunyadi subsequently placed Vlad's second cousin, Vladislav II, on the throne. Vlad III is often remembered for his brutal methods of ruling, which earned him his nickname due to his penchant for impaling his enemies. His legacy has influenced numerous cultural depictions, particularly in literature and film.