Buzz
It’s often said that Hannibal led his war elephants across the Alps. But is this claim accurate? Surprisingly, it is. However, such intriguing snippets of history are frequently accepted as undeniable truths, leading to the spread of factoids, skewed narratives, and even outright falsehoods that shape our understanding of the past. For more examples of such myths, check out 10 History Myths Still Taught As Facts.
10. Victoria Cross Medal
Myth: Every Victoria Cross Medal is Crafted from Bronze Taken from Russian Cannons
Receiving the Victoria Cross is an extraordinary honor for any British soldier, akin to the US Medal of Honor, reserved for those who display exceptional bravery and self-sacrifice. From individuals who carried out daring solo missions, neutralizing numerous foes, to those who risked their lives under heavy fire to save their comrades, these accounts are genuine. However, the tale of how each medal is made appears to be a charming yet fabricated story, often repeated even in formal contexts.
The tale appears to have originated from a report in an 1847 newspaper covering a medal ceremony in Hyde Park. The valor of those awarded this prestigious honor doesn’t require embellishment, as their deeds speak volumes on their own. In this instance, reality proves far more captivating than any fabricated story.
9. Nation Against Nation
Myth: During the Dark Ages and Medieval Period, conflicts were fought between entire nations.
No one in that era ever shouted, “For Alba!” The concept of fighting for one’s country is a relatively modern idea, as are the national identities many hold today. The romanticized image of a unified nation rallying behind their monarch to repel invaders is just that—a romanticized image. When Britain was a patchwork of small kingdoms, many of the largest clashes occurred between rival factions within what is now England, such as Wessex and Mercia, or Welsh kingdoms like Gwynedd and Dyfed. Even in these cases, battles were often fought by mercenaries loyal to their paymasters, not to any ideology. Adding to the confusion, many of these kingdoms even supplied troops to fight alongside their supposed enemies.
Take Owain Glyndwr, for example, a Welsh rebel hero and cultural icon who rose against English rule, reclaimed much of his homeland, and even pushed into England before vanishing. His motivation? Some of his lands were seized by the crown and given to a non-Welsh lord. This was as much about a personal grievance as it was about a broader desire for freedom. Yet, this was still Wales versus England, right? Not quite, considering that King Owain’s primary adversary was Dafydd Gam (Dafydd the Lame), a Welsh nobleman. In an era before nation-states, the idea of national honor simply didn’t exist.
8. Egyptian Slavery
Myth: The Pyramids Were Constructed by Slaves
Who would be better suited for a massive construction project than a group of underfed, enslaved foreigners who were brutally punished for failing to meet quotas? Surely not a well-compensated, highly respected team of skilled artisans who were honored during their lifetimes and remembered after death. In fact, the latter sounds far more efficient. The ongoing vilification of ancient civilizations has been as prevalent in academia and popular culture as the romanticization of fallen empires. Reality, however, is rarely so straightforward or black-and-white.
7. Victorian Prudishness
Myth: The Victorian Era Was Marked by Extreme Puritanical Prudishness
You might assume that the British Empire under Queen Victoria operated under the motto “Well, I never,” complete with the dramatic dropping of monocles into teacups or delicate fainting spells for ladies. However, the image of extreme prudishness linked to this period is, in reality, a complete exaggeration.
With nearly a third of working-class brides already pregnant at their weddings, it’s clear that attitudes toward sexuality were far more relaxed than the era’s reputation suggests. This period also introduced us to Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose works inspired the term ‘masochism,’ a concept so prevalent at the time that it warranted its own name. Additionally, the stable prices of monocles suggest that incidents of eyewear being shattered in teacups were few and far between.
6. Wild West Chaos
Myth: The ‘Wild West’ Was a Lawless and Violent Frontier
While violence did occur, the Wild West was no more chaotic or dangerous than other regions of the time. How many serial killers like H.H. Holmes or Jack the Ripper terrorized towns like Tombstone or Deadwood? The idea of the Old West as a lawless, anarchic frontier likely stems from its reputation as a challenging place to build a life. However, there’s little evidence to support the claim that it was exceptionally violent.
Many infamous western cattle towns actually had relatively low murder rates. When comparing historical statistics to modern ones, the numbers can be misleading. For instance, in 1880, the chance of being murdered in Dodge City was 1 in 996, while in 1980 Miami, known as the murder capital of the world at the time, the odds were 1 in 3058. However, this comparison is flawed because Dodge City had only one murder in 1880 among a population of 996. Without considering the context of the crimes or public reaction, scaling this statistic is meaningless. A single murder in a year hardly qualifies as a crime wave.
5. Playing Fields of Eton
Myth: The Battle of Waterloo Was ‘Won on the Playing Fields of Eton’
Debunking this myth is simpler than expected, though perhaps not in the way you’d think. One might assume it refers to working-class men rising through the ranks or a decentralized command structure empowering them to make crucial decisions, suggesting that the streets of London or rural English farmlands were the true training grounds for Waterloo’s victors. Alternatively, it could imply that the multinational coalition, with only one in eight soldiers being English, all attended Eton.
The truth is far more straightforward—Eton had no playing fields during the time Wellington attended or during the Battle of Waterloo. The quote originates from French author Charles de Montalembert, who wrote about English politics in 1855, four decades after the battle.
4. Wikipedia
Myth: Much of What You Read on Croatian Wikipedia is Accurate
Were you aware that Nazi-aligned Croatia operated a concentration camp where approximately 100,000 prisoners were killed? Perhaps you were, but if you’re a Croat researching the notorious Jasenovac camp, often referred to as ‘The Auschwitz of the Balkans,’ you might come across claims that it was merely a ‘collection camp’ for state enemies. You might also find that much of the modern interpretation and historical records of the atrocities are presented as debatable, with over 40% of the Croatian Wikipedia entry dedicated to discussing potential conspiracy theories.
This is a stark example of historical revisionism driven by political and ideological bias. However, it’s worth noting that when using an open, publicly edited platform like Wikipedia, which claims to be an ‘encyclopedia,’ such inaccuracies are a risk. It’s a troubling reality.
3. Einstein . . . Duh!
Myth: Albert Einstein Struggled with Math and Science in School
How often have you encountered this tired old tale? My former science teacher would bring it up whenever a student struggled with a concept or scored poorly on a test. This claim is entirely false. Albert Einstein was an outstanding student, excelling in the subjects you’d expect him to dominate. By the age of 11, he was already delving into college-level physics texts. There’s no record of him receiving anything less than top grades. So, no—Einstein was a genius from the start. But don’t despair; Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs didn’t finish college either. So, for all you dropouts, just come up with a groundbreaking, billion-dollar idea, and you’re set!
2. Rommel Myth
Myth: Erwin Rommel was a Noble, Brilliant Military Strategist Who Was Indifferent (or Even Opposed) to Hitler and Nazi Ideology
This narrative is partially true in some respects. However, the widespread belief in this story is less about outright falsehood and more about the romanticization of Rommel, a phenomenon historians refer to as the ‘Rommel Myth.’ The German Bundeswehr (the modern unified German military) appears to have embraced this myth, naming buildings like the Field Marshal Rommel Barracks in Augustdorf after him, celebrating his role in the initially successful North African Campaign.
While ‘The Desert Fox’ never officially joined the Nazi Party, he demonstrated significant support for German militarism and expansionism. He even served as a liaison between the Wehrmacht and the Hitler Youth, bridging Nazi institutions. Although he clearly disliked the SA and later the SS, his disapproval stemmed more from their brutal and inefficient methods rather than a fundamental opposition to their shared objectives. As author Nigel Hamilton put it, Rommel was “quite a Nazi.”
1. Atom Bombs
Myth: The Atomic Bombs Dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Caused Far More Deaths Than Conventional Bombing Campaigns
The Hiroshima bombing caused between 90,000 and 146,000 deaths, while Nagasaki saw up to 80,000 fatalities. Were these the deadliest attacks of World War II? In terms of a single weapon—yes. Did they introduce a horrifying new method of destruction? Absolutely. However, were the death tolls significantly higher than those of traditional bombings? Not necessarily. The March 10, 1945, bombing of Tokyo resulted in over 90,000 deaths, possibly exceeding 100,000, and left more than a million civilians homeless. This surpasses Nagasaki’s death count and may even rival Hiroshima’s. When comparing post-attack images of Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, the devastation appears strikingly similar. Estimating subsequent deaths from deprivation, radiation sickness, or particulate inhalation is challenging, making it difficult to measure total destructive impact. While the atomic bomb marked a terrifying advancement in warfare, its true significance lay in its efficiency, not necessarily in the sheer number of casualties it produced.
