Around 1460, Vlad the Impaler employed mass impalement as a method of execution and psychological warfare in Wallachia. This brutal tactic was intended to instill fear in enemies and assert his authority, reflecting the violent political landscape of the time. Vlad's notorious reputation has since become a significant part of folklore and history, influencing perceptions of leadership and power.

The use of impaling as an execution method under Vlad the Impaler in 1460 inspired Gothic poetry and vampire lore, exploring themes of tyranny and the monstrous ruler archetype. Poets like Byron and Stoker drew on this dark history to create chilling narratives.