Throughout history, many events and figures have been shrouded in myth, folklore, and misconceptions that persist to this day. These myths often obscure the true nature of historical events, leading to widespread misunderstanding. In this article, we will dispel several of the most popular misconceptions about ancient history, bringing clarity to the myths that have been mistakenly taught and retold over time.
Nero Fiddling While Rome Burned
One of the most enduring myths in Roman history is the tale of Emperor Nero playing the fiddle while Rome was consumed by flames in AD 64. Contrary to popular belief, the fiddle did not exist during Nero’s reign. The instrument would not be developed for another thousand years. Nero was known to be a keen musician, but the instrument he played was the cithara, a stringed instrument more akin to a harp or lyre than the modern fiddle.
Further scrutiny of historical records reveals that Nero was not even in Rome when the fire started. He was away at his villa in Antium. Upon hearing of the fire, he returned to the city and organised relief efforts for the displaced citizens. The myth likely originated from his unpopularity among the Senate, who painted him as indifferent and callous to the suffering of his people. While some suggest he may have sung about the fall of Troy during the fire, this remains unproven and is likely a reflection of his dramatic tendencies rather than evidence of neglect during a national crisis.
Witches Burned at the Stake in Salem
The Salem witch trials of 1692–1693 are often wrongly associated with the burning of witches at the stake. This misconception stems from confusion with the European witch trials, where burning at the stake was a common punishment for those convicted of witchcraft. In Salem, however, not a single person was burned.
In total, 20 individuals were executed during the trials. Nineteen were hanged, and one man, Giles Corey, was pressed to death with heavy stones. None of the victims were burned, and the horrific spectacle of public burning was never part of the judicial process in Salem. This myth persists, largely due to the dramatic and theatrical retellings of the events in literature and film.
Benjamin Franklin’s Kite Experiment
Benjamin Franklin is often credited with personally conducting the famous kite experiment, proving that lightning was a form of electricity. However, historical evidence does not support the notion that Franklin himself flew a kite into a storm.
While Franklin wrote about the theoretical aspects of the experiment in 1752, there is no direct proof he ever performed it. Instead, the story of Franklin flying the kite is a later addition, attributed to him by another scientist over a decade after the supposed event. It’s worth noting that Franklin’s actual contribution to the understanding of electricity lies in his groundbreaking theories, not the dangerous and dramatic act of flying a kite in a thunderstorm.
Columbus Proving the Earth Was Round
Another widespread misconception revolves around Christopher Columbus and his famed 1492 voyage. Many people believe Columbus set out to prove that the Earth was round, a belief said to be contrary to the widely held notion at the time that the world was flat. In reality, by Columbus’s time, most educated Europeans knew the Earth was round. This understanding dated back to ancient Greek philosophers like Pythagoras and Aristotle, who demonstrated the Earth’s curvature long before the 15th century.
Columbus’s actual goal was to find a westward route to Asia. He grossly miscalculated the Earth’s size and believed he could reach the East Indies by sailing west from Europe. His “discovery” of the Americas was incidental, and it’s important to remember that Columbus was not even the first European to reach the continent. Leif Erikson and other Norse explorers had already settled parts of Vinland (modern-day Newfoundland) centuries earlier. Even the famous names of his ships, the Niña and the Pinta, were likely nicknames, not their official titles, adding yet another layer of misrepresentation to Columbus’s story.
Newton’s Apple Falling on His Head
The tale of Isaac Newton formulating his theory of gravity after an apple struck his head is one of the most beloved stories in science. However, this story is more legend than fact. Newton himself never mentioned being struck by an apple in any of his writings.
The story first appeared in a biography of Newton, written by William Stukeley, decades after Newton’s death. According to Stukeley’s account, Newton saw an apple fall while walking in a garden, leading him to contemplate the forces of gravity. The image of the apple striking Newton’s head, however, was likely an embellishment, added for dramatic effect and to make the discovery more relatable.
Einstein Failing Maths as a Child
The myth that Albert Einstein struggled in school, particularly in mathematics, is another enduring but false narrative. The misconception likely arose from a misunderstanding of the grading system in Einstein’s school. In his native Germany, grades were given on a scale where 1 was the highest and 6 the lowest, whereas many assumed the opposite.
In truth, Einstein excelled in mathematics from an early age, mastering advanced calculus before the age of 15. His apparent struggles were more a result of his rebellious attitude towards the rigid school systems, not a lack of intelligence. Einstein’s mythic status as a genius made people inclined to believe that his early failures were part of the narrative of overcoming adversity, but in reality, his academic prowess was evident from a young age.
Marie Antoinette Saying “Let Them Eat Cake”
The often-quoted phrase “Let them eat cake” is widely attributed to Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the Revolution. Legend has it that when told the starving peasants had no bread, she callously suggested they eat cake instead. However, there is no historical evidence that Marie Antoinette ever uttered these words.
In fact, the phrase appears in texts well before Marie Antoinette’s time and was likely attributed to her later to symbolise the monarchy’s supposed detachment from the suffering of the French populace. The Queen’s reputation as a symbol of extravagance and indifference, fuelled by revolutionary propaganda, made her an easy target for such myths.
The Trojan Horse
The story of the Trojan Horse is one of the most iconic tales from Greek mythology. As recounted in Homer’s Odyssey, the Greeks constructed a massive wooden horse, filled it with soldiers, and left it outside the gates of Troy as a deceptive offering. The Trojans brought the horse inside, unknowingly sealing their fate.
While the tale is gripping, there is no archaeological evidence to support the existence of the Trojan Horse. It is widely believed that the story is a poetic metaphor or an allegory rather than a literal event. The siege of Troy, as depicted in the Iliad, may have historical basis, but the horse itself remains a symbol of cunning, not a proven reality.
Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride
The story of Paul Revere’s midnight ride, immortalised in American lore, depicts Revere as a lone rider, galloping through the night to warn the colonists of the British troops’ approach. However, the true story is more complex and less dramatic.
Revere was one of several riders tasked with spreading the alarm, and he never completed his mission as he was captured by British troops before reaching his destination. William Dawes and Samuel Prescott were also instrumental in carrying the warning to the colonists, but their contributions have been overshadowed by Revere’s prominence in the popular narrative.
The Great Wall of China Visible from Space
A common misconception is that the Great Wall of China is visible from space. While the wall is a massive architectural achievement, it is not visible to the naked eye from outer space or the moon.
The myth likely stems from the wall’s immense length, over 13,000 miles, but in reality, it is relatively narrow and made from materials that blend into the landscape. Astronauts have confirmed that, under certain lighting and atmospheric conditions, the wall can be seen from low Earth orbit, but it is not as prominent or as visible as commonly believed.
