Top Ten Historical Misconceptions
We all grew up learning the same stories in school and hearing the same tales of explorers, pilgrims, colonization, and expansion. Many of those stories are not historically accurate though. Some were taken from authors who intentionally used creative license to sell their works while others were due to mistranslations and misunderstandings.Below are some of the biggest historical misconceptions with the descriptions being the more accurate account of what happened. Let's try to keep history accurate and historical instead of the propaganda it has become.
The Top Ten
1 Jesus Christ was born on December 25
Most theologians believe he was born in the Spring.
2 Guglielmo Marconi invented the radio
3 Emperor Nemo played the fiddle while Rome was burning down
4 Marie Antoinette said "Let them eat cake."
5 Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity
Benjamin Franklin (January 6, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. Among the leading intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States,... read more
Benjamin Franklin (January 6, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. Among the leading intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States,... read more
6 The "witches" of the salem trials were burned at the stake
There are no records of people being burned at the stake during the Salem Witch Trials. The Accused were either hanged or died while in prison.
There are no records of people being burned at the stake during the Salem Witch Trials. The Accused were either hanged or died while in prison. More died in prison than were hanged.
7 Vikings wore horns on their helmets
If they actually did that in real life, it would be dangerous!
8 Napoleon Bonaparte was short
In fact, Napoleon was slightly taller than the average Frenchman of his time. The problem comes from the difference between French inches and English Inches. He was actually about 5 foot 7 inches tall.
In fact, Napoleon was slightly taller than the average Frenchman of his time. The problem comes from the difference between French inches and English Inches. He was actually about 5 foot 7 inches tall. This could be a result of there being so many tall men being use in the military, so that he appeared short in comparison.
Napoleon was actually around 5'6 / 5'7 which was actually pretty average for his time.
9 Jewish slaves built the pyramids
Professional laborers built the pyramids.
10 The average life-expectancy during the Middle Ages was about half what it is now
While people did typically live shorter lives back then than we do now, the average age of 30 comes mainly due to infant mortality rates. Once a person survived childhood, their life expectancy was usually around 64 years total.
The Contenders
11 George Washington had wooden teeth
His dentures were made of gold, hippopotamus ivory, lead, animal teeth, and probably human teeth from slaves.
His dentures were made of gold, hippopotamus ivory, lead, animal teeth, and probably human teeth from slaves.
12 Ancient Romans regularly vomited during meals
This came from use of the word "Vomitorium" which people assume meant a room for vomiting. In fact, it just means an entryway like those used at modern day stadiums. You walk through a vomitorium every time you enter or exit a large stadium.
13 Iron Maidens were used as torture devices in the Middle Ages
There is no evidence that Iron Maidens ever existed in the Middle Ages or that they were used for torture. Instead they were pieced together in the 18th century from several artifacts found in museums in order to create spectacular objects intended for (commercial) exhibition.
14 Christopher Columbus was the first European to visit the Americas
Besides the Vikings, it was a probably true that Phoenicians and Polynesians made it.
15 Medieval Europeans believed the Earth was flat
Knowledge of a round Earth dates back to ancient Greek philosophers and was common knowledge by most intellectual Europeans.
Its just the people before Columbus era and the Flat Earth Society nowadays.
16 The Chastity Belt was used to keep women chaste in Medieval Times
Most existing chastity belts are now thought to be deliberate fakes or anti-masturbatory devices from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
17 Albert Einstein failed Math
In fact, Einstein said, "I never failed in mathematics... Before I was fifteen I had mastered differential and integral calculus." He did fail the entrance exam to the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School his first time but then again he was 2 years younger than his peers and scored exceptionally well in math and science.
In fact, Einstein said, "I never failed in mathematics... Before I was fifteen I had mastered differential and integral calculus." He did fail the entrance exam to the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School his first time but then again he was 2 years younger than his peers and scored exceptionally well in math and science.
18 G. Marconi as the founder of the radio
Another invention taken from Tesla. Tesla sued him for that and won the battle and the rulling said he is the true inventor of the radio.
19 Pirates said things like "Arrr" and "Shiver me timbers"
I think the book treasure island established many modern stereotypes about pirates.
20 Coca-Cola invented the modern image of Santa Claus
By the time Coca-Cola began using Santa Claus's image in the 1930s, Santa Claus had already taken his modern form in popular culture and had been used extensively by other companies in their advertising.
21 Thomas Edison invented the light bulb
22 Humans evolved from chimpanzees
We had a common ancestor but the Chimps are our closest biological relatives.
Saying humans evolved from chimpanzees are like saying English evolved from German
23 Jesus Christ was white
24 Roman vomitoriums were used for vomiting
25 Spanish Influenza originated in Spain
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