Vlad the Impaler and Tamerlane - Bloodthirsty Monsters?

Send us Fan MailWARNING!  Not for weak stomachs!  You may be grossed out!This episode is about two military characters of history who may have served as inspiration for two famous pieces of literature - Vlad the Impaler for Dracula by Bram Stoker, and the historical character of Tamerlane for Tamerlane by Edgar Allan Poe.Why is this episode so gross?Where did Stoker get the name “Dracula”What was Vlad’s favorite means of torture?How was Vlad the Impaler a champion of a certain kind of “law and order?”Approximately how many people did Genghis Khan kill?Approximately how many people did Tamerlane kill?How does Poe change the historical Tamerlane?What is a hippodrama?  Does it use hippos?0:00 Introduction 02:55 Vlad the Impaler and Count Dracula03:59 Romania 05:10 A few facts about Vlad07:30 “We will release you, but not your sons"08:55 Impalements and other forms of torture 13: 07 Legends and opinions about Vlad the Impaler16:32 Historical Tamerlane and Poe (Introduction)18:44 Genghis Khan background 20:22 Enter Timur (Tamerlane)22:59 Destruction of Bagdad and Delhi25:30 Edgar Allan Poe Connection25:55 Horse-spectacles and hippodramas28:22 Research and reproduction of script30:53 Poe and his disregard of the historical Tamerlane33:25 Sources34:43 Future episodes35:19 OutroSupport the showThank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.