Many of the events we take for granted may not be based on reality. Historical fiction can be more exciting than real facts, and that is why society has been in charge of convincing us throughout history about the veracity of these legends. Here are some historical myths that have transcended as true but actually are not:
Napoleon Was Not as Short as People Think
Although Napoleon Bonaparte was not tall, he was 5’6″. This confusion arose from the fact that the French and the British used units of measurement that varied slightly: the French inch was larger. Despite this, and because of the English, this is still believed today.
Albert Einstein Was Not Bad at Mathematics
This myth grew from the fact that Einstein failed his university entrance exam in Zurich, at the age of 16. Despite this, Einstein was always skilled in mathematics and physics, demonstrating mastery from an early age.
The “Witches” of Salem Were Not Burned
This town is famous for the trials of women accused of being witches in 1692. However, Salem was not the only place where this happened; several towns in Massachusetts had trials, and not only against women. Of the 150 people accused of being witches, only 20 were executed; being hanged or stoned. No one was burned to death.
Nero Didn’t Touch His lyre as Rome Went Up in Flames
While Nero is not known as the most gracious Roman emperor, Tacitus, a historian who lived during Nero’s time and was present at the Great Fire of Rome, among other sources, wrote that Nero was not in the city when the fire started. He was in Antium (now Anzio, Italy), and returned immediately upon hearing of the fire. He organized rescue and relief plans for those affected, which he is believed to have paid for himself. However, the strongest proof that this myth is false is the fact that the lira did not exist in the year 64.
Leonidas Didn’t Fight with 300 Spartans
This myth was popularized by the historical fiction comic book created by Frank Miller and later by the movie “300“, directed by Zack Snyder. While Leonidas did have Spartans in his army, it also included soldiers from other cities such as Thespias, Corinthia and Thebes. There are various sources that comment upon the size of the army and they all provide different numbers. However, the smallest number is 5,000 soldiers, while the highest is 11,000. Xerxes’ army is estimated between 70 and 300 thousand soldiers, depending on the historian.
Vikings Didn’t Wear Horns on Their Helmets
This myth was born from poets who decided that horns were more in line with the personality of the Vikings within literature. Most of the helmets with horns that have existed in the world, are for ceremonial use only, due to the impracticality and disadvantageous that would result the use of these in combat.
Romans Didm’t Vomit to Keep Eating
While this myth may seem real due to the general idea of the excesses and extravagances of Ancient Rome, the Romans did not interrupt their meals to vomit in order to continue eating. It is true that there is a place called “vomitorium”, but this was not used as a room where one went to vomit; the vomitorium were the entrances and exits of Roman stadiums.
Lady Godiva Never Rode a Horse Naked
Legend has it that Lady Godiva, an Anglo-Saxon lady, asked her husband to lower taxes. He would agree only if she rode her horse naked through the streets. She agreed. While Lady Godiva did exist in the 11th century, there is no record of this ride until 200 years later, being mentioned by poets, and therefore, being discarded by modern historians.
This story was originally published in Spanish in Cultura Colectiva.
