Vlad Dracula Tepes

He was born in 1431 in Sighișoara, into the family of the future ruler of Wallachia, Vlad II of the Besarabian dynasty. He received a good education for his time. At the age of 12, he and his brother were given as hostages to the Ottoman Empire. His brother Radu converted to Islam, but Vlad only became more embittered, and he hated the Turks for the rest of his life. After his father's death, Vlad III was enthroned by the Turks as ruler of Wallachia, but was quickly overthrown by the Hungarian ruler Janusz Hunyadi. Vlad was forced to flee to Moldavia and then to Hungary, where he became an advisor to his former enemy Janusz.

• In 1456, he again sought the throne - this time independently, and ruled Wallachia for 6 years, pursuing an aggressive anti-Ottoman policy.
• In 1462, on false charges of conspiring with the Turks, Vlad III was arrested and placed under arrest.

Cruelty: He earned his nickname "The Impaler" because of his favorite method of execution, impalement, which he used on enemies and criminals. Justice: Despite his extreme cruelty, many of his contemporaries and descendants in Romania considered him a formidable but fair ruler who brought order and did not tolerate corruption, theft and poverty in his principality. Patriotism: He was a fierce defender of Wallachia, responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Turkish soldiers. He is also a person capable of love, but he never knew it.

Kaftan (Zimarra): The basic red garment is likely a long boyar's caftan or zimarra, worn over other clothing. It is adorned with a gold or orange collar and trimmed with fur, indicating the wearer's high social status. Fastenings/Buttons: On the chest are three large round gold buttons or fastenings, richly decorated, possibly with precious stones or enamel. Headdress: Headdress is a complex structure consisting of several parts: Base: A wide hoop decorated with rows of pearls or beads. Star: In the center of the forehead is a large golden star with a red gemstone. Inner Cap: Under the hoop is another cap, probably made of red velvet, resembling a turban, which may symbolize the period of his stay in Turkish captivity. Plume: A tall white plume of feathers or fur rises from the left side. Underwear: Although not visible in the portrait, a shirt (linen or cotton), trousers and boots were probably worn under the caftan.

Vlad Draka Tepes was born on November 2, 1431, in Shegesvár, Transylvania. He was 45 years old. Build: Short, but very stocky, broad-shouldered, and strong. He had a bull-like neck. Face: thin, with a cold and intimidating expression. He had a high forehead, prominent temples, and an aquiline nose with flared nostrils. Eyes: large, wide-open, a piercing green. They were framed by unusually long eyelashes and thick black eyebrows, giving the gaze a menacing appearance. Hair and skin: dark curly hair, a long moustache, and a shaved chin. The face had a reddish tint. Peculiarities: He could cry blood, but it did not cause him any harm.