History of Dracula

	Revision 18 . . (edit) October 19, 2001 12:11 pm by (logged).255.83.xxx
	Revision 13 . . October 19, 2001 7:40 am by Larry Sanger [Mostly copyediting]
	Revision 12 . . (edit) October 19, 2001 5:51 am by (logged).255.83.xxx

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Difference (from prior major revision) (minor diff, author diff)

Changed: 1c1,3

Dracula as a vampire is derived from the historic Wallachian (southern Romania, 1436) ruler Vlad III, aka [Vlad Tepes]? (the Impaler). In his six year reign he is estimated to have killed 100,000 people, mainly by using his favourite method of impaling them on a sharp pole. However, it should be noted that the history of Romania at this time was mainly recorded by German immigrants, a group with which Vlad Tepes is known to have clashed several times. Indeed, Vlad Tepes is revered as a folk hero by native Romanians for driving off invading Turks with his brutal techniques.

The character of Dracula is the most famous vampire in fiction, created by author Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel of that name. Stoker loosely based his character on the historic Wallachian? (southern Romania) ruler Vlad III, also known as [Vlad Tepes]? ("Vlad the Impaler"). In his six year reign (1436-1442?) he is estimated to have killed 100,000 people, mainly by using his favourite method of impaling them on a sharp pole. However, it should be noted that the history of Romania at this time was mainly recorded by German immigrants, a group with which Vlad Tepes is known to have clashed several times. Indeed, Vlad Tepes is revered as a folk hero by native Romanians for driving off invading Turks with his brutal techniques.

Removed: 5d6

Vlad Tepes was immortalised by Bram Stoker as "Dracula." However, stories aboud blood-drinking ghouls can also be found in Stoker's native Ireland, and the Dracula myth as he created it and as it has been portryed in films and television shows ever since may be a compound of various influences; many of Stoker's biographers and literary critics have found deep resonances of Sheridan le Fanu's earlier classic of the vampire genre, Carmilla, in his work.

Changed: 7c8

In writing Dracula, Stoker may also have drawn upon stories about blood-drinking ghouls from his native Ireland, and the Dracula myth as he created it and as it has been portrayed in films and television shows ever since may be a compound of various influences; many of Stoker's biographers and literary critics have found deep resonances of Sheridan le Fanu's earlier classic of the vampire genre, Carmilla, in his work.

Added: 9a11,13

External links: * [Vlad Dracul (1390? - 1447)]