[gnarledmaw]

Yes but, in the Assyrian version there is a single pole and those that are impaled are dead or die in the process. In Vlad's version there are two poles, a taller thicker one for the victims limbs to be tied around and a slightly shorter lubricated pointy one for the victim to "sit" on. In Vlad's version the people lived for a long time after being impaled and were able to relay their pain and horror to those passing by.

It was believed that the stories of Vlad's victims living through the initial...entry...was an exaggeration until recently when the correct path for the second pole was determined. Apparently the victims died when the pole had passed all the way through and out the mouth leaving the victim to choke to death on the pole that had entered their anus.

Vlad's version is far more effective at creating terror.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I believe GOYA drew an impaling in his DISASTERS OF WAR series of drawings.