Vlad III Dracula, Inspired By Bram Stoker

Urban legends are widely popular in society and some have stood the test of time, one reason is that they are an important part of popular culture and offer insight into the fears of society. Count Dracula, inspired by Vlad III Dracula, was created by Irish author Bram Stoker. This mythical creature was created during the 19th century in gothic literature, Stoker put together what at the time was frightening to people. Society at the time was afraid of going outside at night because they had little to no protection against wild animals, Stoker took this into account and created a half bat half man creature that lives off human blood and wanders the night. Not only was the thought of a bloodsucking monster frightening to society it did not help that it was based off a vicious and relentless historic
The Ottoman Turks implemented devshirme, known as the blood tax or tribute in blood from all they ruled over. The boys had to be within eight to eighteen years of age, furthermore they molded them into warriors loyal to them only under a strict military system. All neighboring countries had to pay tribute to them or face death. Vlad’s home was among those neighboring countries, he too had to pay but refused. Vlad’s brother, Radu had been taken captive earlier in his childhood and made into a boy-lover of Sultan Murat II’s son. Vlad was made a captive and put in a Muslim prison after Radu had converted to Islam and aided the Turks in invading Romania. While in prison he witnessed their torture techniques but the one that stood out to him was impalement and later adopted it after escaping. In 1460 the Turks tried killing him after refusing to pay the blood tax, the Turks were discouraged after finding 20,000 of their own men put to death by