He was the second son of Vlad Dracul, who became the ruler of Wallachia in 1436. He is often considered one of the most important rulers in Wallachian history and a national hero of Romania. Vlad III, commonly known as Vlad the Impaler ( Romanian: Vlad Țepeș ) or Vlad Dracula ( / ˈ d r æ k j ʊ l ə, - j ə-/ Romanian: Vlad Drăculea 1428/31 – 1476/77), was Voivode of Wallachia three times between 1448 and his death in 1476/77.
