Βλαντ Γ' (Vlad III), also known as Vlad the Impaler, was a 15th-century ruler of Wallachia, a region in present-day Romania. He is famous for his brutal methods of punishing enemies, particularly his preferred method of impalement. His reign was marked by a desire to defend his territory against the Ottoman Empire and to maintain control over his principality. Vlad III is often associated with the legend of Dracula, which was popularized by Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel. While Stoker's character is fictional, it draws inspiration from Vlad's notorious reputation. Today, Vlad is a controversial historical figure, seen by some as a national hero and by others as a tyrant.