What do Romanians think about Vlad the Impaler?

“To most of Romanians, Vlad Tepes remains a symbol of the fight against corruption. They only cite the fact he used harsh methods to reclaim the country from the corrupt and rich boyars, and that he was ruthless with thieves and bums,” says historian Alexandru Voicu.

Why is Vlad the Impaler significant?

Vlad the Impaler is perhaps the most famous ruler of Wallachia, and he is widely known for being the inspiration beyond Dracula. Vlad was born in Sighisoara in 1431, but he spent most of his childhood in the Ottoman Empire, which he sought to destroy his whole life.

What did Vlad the Impaler do for Romania?

After an eight-year struggle, Vlad again claimed the voivodate. It was during this period of rule that he committed the atrocities for which he was best known. His penchant for impaling his enemies on stakes in the ground and leaving them to die earned him the name Vlad the Impaler (Romanian: Vlad Țepeș).

Why is Vlad the Impaler important?

Vlad III Dracula (1431-1467/77) was one of the most important rulers in Wallachian history. He was also known as Vlad the Impaler for the brutality with which he dispensed with his enemies, gaining him notoriety in 15th century Europe.

What did Vlad the Impaler accomplish?

Around 1460 or 1461, having secured independence from Hungary, regained land from Transylvania, and defeated his rival rulers, Vlad broke off relations with the Ottoman Empire, ceased paying his yearly tribute, and prepared for war. The Christian parts of Europe were moving toward a crusade against the Ottomans.

Why was Vlad a hero?

Bloody sobriquet aside, to the Romanians and the Bulgarians, Vlad III is a hero, credited for having kept the relentless Ottoman advance into Europe at bay. In exchange, Vlad II was required to send Vlad III and his youngest son, Radu, to the royal court as tributes.

What do Romanians think of Vlad the Impaler?

He is widely regarded as an evil figure who ruled over Wallachia in present-day Romania three times after inheriting the throne from his father, Vlad Dracul. His reign is thought of as a dark period in Romanian history by foreigners, but Romanians seem to think of Vlad in a more positive light.

Why is Vlad III considered a national hero in Romania?

Around the world, Vlad III is closely associated with the fictitious Dracula and widely regarded as a villain. But in Romania, the majority of people view him as a national hero because he played a major role in protecting Romanian lands from the advancing Ottoman Turks.

Why is Dracula called Vlad the Impailer?

To this day he is referred to as Vlad tepish, translating into ‘Vlad the impailer’ in favor of his favorite method of killing. Prince Vlad Dracula was not your average Ruler.

Why did Vlad the Impaler kill valackia?

Vlad was using his power to sadistically murder and torture innocent human beings, purely for the sake of his entertainment. He envisioned that staking’s would rid Valackia of crime, but somewhere along the lines he became unhinged and mentally unstable.