Vlad Tepes, often known as Dracula, was a 15th-century ruler of Wallachia, a region in present-day Romania. He is famous for his brutal methods of ruling, including impalement, which earned him the nickname "Vlad the Impaler." His reign was marked by a strong resistance against the Ottoman Empire and efforts to consolidate power in his territory. The character of Dracula in literature, created by Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel, was inspired by Vlad Tepes. Stoker's portrayal of Dracula as a vampire has led to a lasting legacy in popular culture, blending historical fact with fiction and contributing to the mythos surrounding the figure of Vlad Tepes.