11 Myths from History You Still Believe
History is filled with fascinating stories, but not all of them are as true as we were taught. Over time, myths have been repeated so often that they’ve become accepted facts, even though modern research has debunked many of them.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
Many people still believe in historical myths without realizing they are based on outdated or incorrect information. From tales of famous figures to misinterpretations of world events, these falsehoods continue to shape how we think about history. Some are innocent misunderstandings, while others were deliberately spread for political or cultural reasons. These 11 myths show how easy it is for fiction to become accepted truth over time.
1. Vikings Wore Horned Helmets
Fernando Cortés on Pexels
The image of Vikings with horned helmets comes from 19th-century operas and romanticized art. There’s no archaeological evidence that real Viking warriors wore horned headgear. In fact, such helmets would have been impractical and dangerous in battle. Vikings wore simple, functional helmets made of metal or leather.
2. Napoleon Was Short
Philibert-Louis Debucourt on Wikimedia
Napoleon Bonaparte was actually of average height for his time, standing around 5 feet 6 or 5 feet 7 inches. Confusion arose because of differences in the French and English measurement systems. British propaganda also exaggerated his size to mock him as a small man with a big ego. The myth stuck, despite being historically inaccurate.
3. Marie Antoinette Said “Let Them Eat Cake”
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun on Wikimedia
There is no solid evidence that Marie Antoinette uttered, “Let them eat cake.” The quote was attributed to her years after her death, likely to portray her as heartless. Philosophers had used the phrase earlier to criticize the elite in general. It became attached to her as a symbol of royal ignorance.
4. People Thought the Earth Was Flat
Jose Maria Obregon on Wikimedia
By the time of Columbus, most educated Europeans already knew the Earth was a sphere. The idea that people believed in a flat Earth during that era is a 19th-century myth. Ancient Greek scholars had already calculated the Earth’s roundness centuries before. Columbus’s journey challenged other ideas, but not the shape of the planet.
5. Einstein Failed Math as a Student
Nobel foundation / A.B. Lagrelius & Westphal on Wikimedia
Albert Einstein did not fail math in school and was actually a strong student in most subjects. The myth likely comes from confusion over grading systems in different countries. In reality, Einstein had mastered advanced mathematics by the time he was a teenager. The idea that he struggled in school adds unnecessary drama to his story.
6. Medieval People Never Bathed
Anonyme on Wikimedia
While hygiene standards were different from today, medieval people did bathe regularly when possible. Public bathhouses were common in many European cities, and wealthier households used private baths. Cleanliness was often tied to religious and health beliefs. The idea that people were filthy for centuries is an exaggeration.
7. The Great Wall of China Is Visible from Space
Alex Qian on Pexels
Despite being very long, the Great Wall of China is not easily visible from space with the naked eye. Astronauts have confirmed that it blends in with the natural landscape. Other man-made structures, like highways or cities, are often more noticeable from orbit. The myth persists due to its dramatic appeal.
8. Witches Were Burned at the Stake in Salem
Claude Gillot on Wikimedia
During the Salem witch trials, none of the accused were burned at the stake. Most were hanged, and one man was pressed to death with heavy stones. Burning was more common in European witch trials, not colonial America. The confusion likely stems from blending different witch-hunting events across history.
9. Thomas Edison Invented the Light Bulb
Louis Bachrach, Bachrach Studios, restored by Michel Vuijlsteke on Wikimedia
Edison improved the design and made it commercially viable but did not invent the first light bulb. Several inventors, including Humphry Davy and Joseph Swan, developed earlier versions. Edison’s contribution was creating a long-lasting filament and a practical system for home lighting. He was more of a savvy developer than the sole inventor.
10. The Emancipation Proclamation Freed All Slaves
Georg Olden on Wikimedia
The Emancipation Proclamation only applied to Confederate states in rebellion and did not free all enslaved people. Slavery continued in border states loyal to the Union until the 13th Amendment was passed. The proclamation was a powerful political and moral statement, but not a complete legal end to slavery. Understanding its limitations is key to understanding its context.
11. Romans Regularly Vomited During Feasts
Public domain on Wikimedia
While Romans valued indulgence, there’s little evidence they had dedicated rooms to vomit in during meals. The myth comes from misinterpretations of the word “vomitorium,” which actually referred to passageways in amphitheaters. Roman feasts could be excessive, but the idea of forced vomiting is more fiction than fact. It reflects more on modern imagination than ancient behavior.