History is prone to misconceptions and misunderstandings, even by great historians. Such myths can quickly become ingrained in folklore, spread through popular culture, and appear through movies. Here are 17 commonly held beliefs about history that have since been debunked as false.
Marie Antoinette Said, ‘Let Them Eat Cake!’
This phrase was supposedly said by the callous French queen Marie Antoinette in response to her starving people’s request for bread. Yet History.com says this goes against the queen’s well-documented intelligence, charitable nature, and desire to help the poor, despite her luxurious lifestyle. The myth likely came from rebel propaganda used to stir up hatred before the rebellion.
Napoleon Bonaparte Was Short
Napoleon’s height has long been debated, yet French military records claim he stood 5 feet 2 inches tall. This may sound tiny by today’s standards, but it was actually above average height for a Frenchman at the time, as modern diets and better nutrition have now caused Europeans to grow taller. The British often portrayed him as short to mock the enemy leader and promote national dislike.
The Vikings Wore Horned Helmets
Imagine going into battle with two huge horns on either side of your helmet. The helmet would be easy to dislodge, remove, or use against a warrior on the battlefield. There is no evidence from archaeological discoveries that supports this image. Instead, historians believe that most Vikings wore leather helmets without horns. The myth originates from inaccurate, romanticized artistic interpretations from the 1800s.
The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space
While the Great Wall of China is an undeniably impressive feat of engineering, astronauts cannot see it with the naked eye from anywhere in space. The wall is too thin and light-colored to be easily distinguished from the surrounding landscape and cannot be made out from orbit. You would need high-powered satellite imagery to reveal the wall’s position from that height.
William Tell Shot an Apple Off His Son’s Head
This Swiss folk hero is believed to have started a peasant revolt by expertly shooting an apple off his son’s head. But HowStuffWorks writes, “Many scholars doubt that Tell was actually a real person. There’s no evidence that he ever existed or that anyone in Uri shot an arrow off a child’s head.” The tale merges actual and imagined events to try to inspire patriotism and resistance to tyranny.
Cleopatra Committed Suicide by Snake Bite
Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, did indeed die by suicide in 30 BC. Still, the exact method with which she took her own life remains unknown. While many people believe she allowed an Egyptian cobra (smuggled to her in a fruit basket) to bite her, there is no proof of this. Other theories suggest she may have poisoned herself or consumed venomous ointments.
The Middle Ages Were a ‘Dark Age’
Historians have used the term ‘Dark Ages’ to describe the period in Europe between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance (roughly 500 to 1500 AD). Modern scholars reject this term, stating that the Middle Ages were a time of significant cultural and technological progress, such as the printing press, universities, and scientific discoveries.
Julius Caesar Burned Down The Library of Alexandria
The Library of Alexandria was a vast and valuable repository of ancient knowledge that was sadly destroyed in a series of fires over several centuries. Although Roman general Julius Caesar was involved in a civil war in Alexandria in 48 BC, there’s no evidence that he started a fire that destroyed the library; neglect, accidental fires, and political unrest are the likely culprits.
The Black Death Wiped Out Half of Europe
The bubonic plague pandemic that ravaged Europe in the mid-14th century was undeniably devastating, but historians may have overestimated the death toll. The New York Times reports that the continuation of agriculture shows that there were enough workers to farm, so new, more conservative estimates have been made at 20-30% of Europe’s population – a horrific toll, but not quite half of Europe.
The Roman Empire Fell in 476 AD
History books like to put dates on things, but the truth is that some historical events occurred over many years. The fall of the Roman Empire was a complex process that took centuries. Although the Western Empire fell around 476 AD, when Romulus Augustulus, the last emperor, was deposed, the Eastern ‘Byzantine’ region continued to thrive until at least 1400 AD.
The Salem ‘Witches’ Were Burnt
The Salem witch trials of 1692 were a dark chapter in American history, yet the Puritan community did not burn those it accused of witchcraft. 19 individuals were executed by hanging, while many more died in prison due to the harsh conditions. The myth probably originates from European ‘witches’ being regularly burnt in Medieval times.
Genghis Khan Was a Ruthless Barbarian
Genghis Khan was the founder and emperor of the great Mongol Empire. He was a brilliant military strategist and political leader who united several nomadic tribes, inspiring them to put aside their differences and combine forces. While widespread conquest and bloodshed were surely a part of his Empire, trade routes and valuable cultural exchange were also important.
Puritans Wore Black and White
Most artistic depictions of American Puritans show them in a modest, monochromatic style of dress, which was particularly dull compared to their English counterparts. Although they wore black and white clothing, they also wore various other colors, with darker shades favored for dirty tasks (out of practicality) and somber occasions, like funerals.
Nightingale Sang in the Trenches
Florence Nightingale, the ‘Lady with the Lamp,’ is a revered figure in nursing history and is famous for her work during the Crimean War (1853-1856). But the story of her singing to wounded soldiers in the trenches of World War I is likely to be a myth. In reality, trench warfare was dangerous, chaotic, and brutal – nurses would be fighting to save lives in triage, not singing serenely.
The American Revolution Was Fought Over Taxation
Taxation was undoubtedly a serious issue for the American colonists, but The ABT reports that “Taxation without representation was just one dispute among many that kindled the revolutionary spirit in the Thirteen Colonies.” Colonists also resented British limits on trade and having no control over their local governments, leading to the outbreak of the revolution in 1775.
The Pony Express Was a Waste of Time
The Pony Express was a short-lived but essential communication system that relayed messages across the American West. Although it was only operational for 18 months, from 1860 to 1861, it was crucial in connecting the East and West Coasts during a critical period in American history and paved the way for the transcontinental telegraph.
The Alamo Fell Due to a Surprise Attack
This pivotal 1836 battle in the Texas Revolution is often called the ‘Siege of the Alamo.’ Although many of us believe it was a sudden, unexpected attack by the Mexican army, the Texan defenders had received warnings about the approaching threat and had time to prepare. However, they seriously underestimated the size and determination of the Mexican force.
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