Vlad the Impaler of Wallachia was known for his blood-lust and ruthlessness toward both his enemies and subjects alike. But scientists have recently discovered the popular characterization of the medieval warlord as a bloodthirsty man has transformed into a literal one.
A team of chemical scientists from the University of Catania, SpringStyle Tech Design, Romania National Archives, and the Polytechnic University of Milan has found evidence suggesting Vlad, also known as Vlad Draculea, may have suffered from a host of ailments, including haemolacria, or a condition where a person literally cries tears mixed with blood.
In a study published in the journal Analytical Chemistry on August 8, scientists from Italy and Romania conducted a chemical analysis of three letters written by Vlad during his three separate reigns as Voivode (Count) of Wallachia from 1448 to 1476.
A Legacy of Blood
Historians estimated more than 80,000 people died under his rule by being impaled by a sharp object, which inspired Irish author Bram Stoker to write his 1897 novel "Dracula."
Researchers have used a technique called mass spectrometry, which meant the careful application of the polymer ethylene-vinyl acetate to the letters, and removing it afterward. Once removed, the polymer picked up proteins and smaller molecules called peptides that were left over from when the count handled the papers centuries ago.
During the process, scientists discovered the residue contained 500 peptides, of which 100 were of human origin, presumably from Vlad himself rather than other people who might have handled the letters through the years.
The documents harbored peptides that were tied to ciliopathies, a group of genetic disorders affecting hairlike organelles in cells known as cilia. They also found evidence he might have had an infection of the respiratory tract.
However, the biggest find the team achieved was from a letter he penned in 1475 that carried three peptides found in proteins of the retina and tears. Based on the features of these peptides, they concluded he likely suffered from hemolacria, a condition in which blood is present in tears, Live Science reported.
While researchers are not sure what exactly caused Vlad to have the condition, they reckoned it could have been linked to an eye injury or bacterial conjunctivitis, an infection of the eye's mucous membrane.
"To our reckoning, this is the first time such research has been carried out and has helped to bring to the limelight the health status of Vlad Dracula the Impaler," the researchers wrote in the study.
Research team leader Vincenzo Cunsolo added that Vlad might have suffered from shedding bloody tears during the last years of his life.
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