Was there actually a man named Count Dracula? where did myths such as Were Wolves come from?

Answer 1

As you may well know, author Bram Stoker (1847-1912) based the title character of his 1897 novel Dracula on an actual human being, or should we say inhuman being. In this website, we will try our best to make the distinction between the real and the imaginary, the facts and the fiction. This is not an easy task, considering the amount of vampire lore which has imbibed our culture since Dracula was first published in 1897.

Even if you haven't yet read Stoker's novel, and seen the stage play which came after, you have probably seen some of the many films based on his character. Some of the most important cinematic adaptations are F.W. Murnau's 1922 masterpiece "Nosferatu", which was loosely based on Dracula but subjected to a "makeover" for copyright reasons, Todd Browning's "Dracula", which starred Bela Lugosi, a Romanian actor who had previously incarnated the titular character on the stage, and would forever be remembered, and unfortunately typecast as Dracula; the British Hammer Films releases of the 70s, which starred Christopher Lee as a sexier, and far more violent vampire. While there were others in between, one of the most interesting, although flawed adaptation, of Dracula was Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 release, "Bram Stoker's Dracula". Coppola's version is noteworthy for it's inclusion of the "Order of the Dracul", which cleverly interwove the fictional vampire with the historical figure.

What is interesting to note, is that Stoker's vampire, while being loosely based on Vlad the Impaler, is nowhere near as threatening, nor as sadistic. Stoker's Dracula is a mysterious, somewhat sensual character who kills and feeds to survive, much like any being in nature. In fact, as much as there is reference to the evil of Dracula, it can be reasoned that all of his actions were motivated by survival. Vlad the Impaler, on the other hand, killed not to feed, but to revel in his own power, and just for the sheer pleasure of seeing the suffering of his numerous victims. We will attempt to put together as accurate a portrait of the man as available documentation permits, his life, loves, enemies, and all of his infamous deeds.

Vlad the Impaler wasn't a "real" vampire, but he probably caused more rivers of blood to flow than any other tyrant in the history of the world. Bear in mind that there are many versions of Vlad the Impaler's life story, and there are no entirely accurate ones. We have cross referenced every detail to try and bring you what we believe is the most accurate portrait of a man who keeps inspiring fear into each and every new generation. In this website, you will learn how Vlad Dracula came to be known as "the Impaler", you will also be able to read Bram Stoker's Dracula, and you will be shown an open door to the most interesting and accurate resources on Vlad the Impaler and Dracula, from books, to movies, to websites.

Answer 2

I believe there actually was a Count Dracula. It is my own personal conviction that such stories possess a lot more truth than most people realize. In a sense they are subtle clues given by the royal blooded Satanists, the reptilian shape-shifters, who are human-reptilian hybrids, and actually do have the ability to change between human and reptilian form. As unbelievable as it may sound, there are people who have witnessed this take place.

Answer 3

Everyone else is answering about Dracula so here's a werewolf answer:

Some have speculated that certain excessively hairy individuals resemble wolves and that the legend of the werewolf may have a basis in the genetic disorder known as hypertrichosis or in some other endocrine disorder, such as adrenal virilism, basophilic adenoma of the pituitary, masculinizing ovarian tumors, or Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Some fungi and plants have also been found to have a wild effect on humans who consume them. Read on to find out more.
Congenital hypertrichosis ( congenital = from birth; hypertrichosis = excessive hair) is excessive hair growth over and above the normal for the age, sex and race of an individual, in contrast to hirsutism, which is excess hair growth in women following a male distribution pattern. Hypertrichosis can develop all over the body or can be isolated to small patches. The Wolf Boys from Mexico as well as countless bearded ladies and dog-faced people which have become traditional attractions in carnivals, most likely had hypertrichosis. Doctors are hoping hypertrichosis may help solve baldness someday.
Porphyria is a rare hereditary blood disease with symptoms that closely resemble the traits of a classic werewolf. People with this disorder cannot produce heme, an essential component of red blood. This makes them extremely sensitive to sunlight, grow excessive amounts of hair and develop sores, scars and discoloured skin. Porphyria also leads to progressive deterioration of the nose, ears, eyelids and fingers, as well as tightening skin around the lips and gums, thus making the incisors more conspicuous. It was relatively unknown as a disease until about the mid-twentieth century, but it is now treatable using regular injections of heme.

Rabies is a viral infection that can be carried by dogs, wolves, bats, raccoons, and other various animals. Humans can contract the disease after being bitten by an infected animal. Rabies affects the central nervous system and can cause a wide range of symptoms in people including extreme agitation, painful contraction of the throat muscles, hallucinations, biting other people and an excessive fear of water. Death usually occurs within five days of being bitten.

Rabies was common during medieval Europe, and many peasants carried iron crosses called the "keys" of St.Hubert (the patron saint of rabies victims) to protect themselves against it.

In a doctors mind, the word Lycanthropy is a mental disorder, in which the sufferer believes that they are a wolf or some other beast. It has been linked by modern medical doctors to the disorders schizophrenia, organic brain syndrome with psychosis, psychotic depressive reaction, dissociative-type hysterical neurosis, manic depressive psychosis and psychometer epilepsy. Hallucinogenic plants and fungus--infected grains have been at the root of many outbreaks of lycanthropy over the centuries.

Answer 4

I know Dracula was based on a real person. (a prince actually)
But I dont know the details.

Answer 5

Yes there was, He was Romanian. If you visit Romania today you can go to his castle, it's a famous touristic site now!
He was a feared weirdo but I don't know if he was a vampire.

Answer 6

legend stemmed from the man known as Valad the Impalier

Answer 7

tale's that have been passed down threw the year's.......with time every story is changed