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Eight historical myths that are still widely believed today

2023-09-30 10:11:00, Blog CNA

History is often filled with myths and legends that have accompanied human existence throughout the centuries, the stories have been inherited, modified and become part of the collective consciousness of society. As amazing as these myths are, they can also obscure the truth about our past.

1. 300 Spartans stopped the great army from invading Greece

According to legend, 300 brave Spartan soldiers fought against the Persian King Xerxes' army of nearly 100,000 warriors. In fact, 300 Spartans, including their own king Leonidas, fought bravely against the Persians. But they were helped by at least 4,000-6,000 troops coming from the regions of Thespia and Thebes.

2. The Spartans threw weak children or those born with physical defects from the cliffs

This is what Plutarch wrote. But there is no archaeological evidence that the Spartans deliberately killed children. No children's skeletons have ever been found in the mountains of the province of Laconia. In Sparta, there was a class of hyperons, very poor or very weak citizens. They weren't much respected, but they didn't jump off the cliffs.

3. The pyramids in Egypt were built by slaves

Or so Herodotus claimed. But he was wrong. Excavations of the tombs of the builders of the pyramids have shown that they were free people. They were fed beef, and received regular medical attention, and were buried near the pharaoh's tomb, an honor that could not be given to slaves.

4. Nero burned Rome

No, the strange emperor did not burn Rome or recite any poetry about the destruction of Troy in the company of a lyre while watching the fire from afar. According to the Roman historian Tacitus, who witnessed the fire as a child, Nero made every effort to stop the flames. He organized fire brigades and provided at his own expense food and shelter for people who had lost their homes. Even after the fire he drew up a new construction plan for the city and rebuilt Rome.

5. Vikings wore horned helmets during battles

There is no confirmation that Viking military helmets had animal horns on top. Because this was impractical during battle and could cause major injuries. But there is evidence that Norse and German clergy sometimes wore horned helmets in religious ceremonies, but not in battle.

6. Cowboys wore their own special hats
Actually, the inhabitants of the Wild West (Far West) did not wear hats with bent corners. This garment was invented by John Stetson in 1865 and over time, it became very fashionable. However, the true inhabitants of the Wild West mostly wore warm beaver skin hats, wool flat hats or Mexican sombreros.

7. Salieri poisoned Mozart

This myth was made famous by Pushkin's tragedy "Mozart and Salieri". But Salieri had no reason to hate Mozart. He was much more popular and enjoyed the patronage of the emperor of Austria, was master of the court, received a high salary and frequented the highest circles of Viennese society. And it is a fact that Salieri treated Mozart very well and appreciated his work. Therefore, the great composer did not die of poisoning, but of a serious kidney problem or streptococcal infection.
8. Napoleon was very short

British cartoonists portrayed Napoleon as a short and fat man. He was said to be only 155 cm tall. The term "Napoleon complex" originates from this claim. But in reality, Napoleon was 169 cm tall. And this is an average height even today, when people are mostly taller./ Adapted in Albanian by CNA