Throughout history, no creature, large or small, has had a large effect on the human psyche than the vampire. We, as humans, fear death. You can deny this as much as you want to, but deep inside you know it is true. In vampirism and immortality, theses creatures have found a reprieve from death, disease, and pain. At a terrible price: Their soul is damned, eternally. But, hey, don't let humans or other vampires kill you, and you're good.
Well, let's get started.
Vlad Tepes Dracula was probably the most popular "vampire" known to man. Vlad was a Romanian prince, traded from his father, Vlad II, to the Ottomans, who Vlad harbored a fierce hatred towards. After his father was assassinated, the Ottomans placed Vlad on the throne in Wallachia (modern-day southern Romania), as a "puppet ruler". This rule was brief, as Wallachia was invaded, and the ousted Vlad. He fled to Moldavia, and was put under the protection of his uncle.
His reign was one filled with blood, torture, and death. His favorite method of torture was impalement, giving him the nickname, Vlad the Impaler. In his reign, he allegedly killed over 30,000 men and women. At his feasts and banquets, he was known to drink the blood of his victims, giving the vampire legend.
Ninteenth century fiction writer Bram Stoker based his novel, Dracula, loosely on the Wallachian prince. But this story will be told later.
Jacob Martin; June 30, 2009; 10:37:05 P.M.
