Episode #115 – Who Was Mali’s Richest King? (Part II)
In 1324 the Malian Emperor, Mansa Musa, made a pilgrimage to Mecca that would stun the Islamic world with its magnificence. If the sources are to be believed, the emperor traveled with an entourage 60 000 fellow pilgrims and untold quantities of pure West African gold. While travelling through Egypt his lavish spending flooded the country with so much gold that he apparently caused an economic crisis. Precious metals were devalued and Egypt fell into a recession that it would take years to recover from… or at least, so goes the story. Is it true that Mansa Musa had enough gold to destabilize one of the strongest economies in the medieval world? (more…)
Episode #114 – Who Was Mali’s Richest King? (Part I)
One of the most pernicious historical myths to ever circulate is the wrongheaded belief that sub-Saharan Africa was uncivilized and devoid of history before the era of European colonialism. The sophistication and opulence of the Mali Empire during the 13th and 14th centuries completely shreds that idea. Many historians have pointed out that in the 1300’s Mali was wealthier, better organized, and more literate than most European societies. The Kings, or Mansas, of Mali may have even been the richest people to have ever lived. But are the tales of the Mansas’ wealth believable? (more…)
Episode #113 – Who is Kyiv’s Most Vengeful Saint?
There are few tales of revenge as epic as that of Olga of Kyiv. In 945 AD Olga set out on a campaign of vengeance that would make a lasting mark on the history of Eastern Europe. However, there is good reason to believe it never actually happened. The source that contains the tale of Olga’s vengeance is among the most unreliable chronicles of the medieval era. What should we believe about one of Eastern Europe’s most merciless female rulers? (more…)
Episode #112 – Who Was The First Emperor of China? (Part III)
After unifying the “Warring States” the first emperor of China turned his attention to an even more lofty goal: becoming an immortal. When describing the first emperor the ancient sources paint a picture of man consumed by narcissism and paranoia. We’re told that in his quest to defy death the first emperor put his trust in shady magicians and smooth talking charlatans. (more…)
Episode #111 – Who Was The First Emperor of China? (Part II)
In Chinese folklore the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, is never presented as a hero. Instead he is always presented as villain who is undone by his own arrogance and impiety. He is often introduced in folk tales as the “Wicked Emperor Qin Shi Huang”. However, historians believe that many of the most salacious stories about China’s first emperor may have been exaggerated or invented by later writers who did not care for his preferred philosophy. Has one of China’s most significant figures been the victim of fake history? (more…)
Episode #110 – Who Was The First Emperor of China? (Part I)
If you were going to make a list of the most historically influential people to have have ever lived, Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, should probably be in the top 10. In the mid 2nd century BC, the ruler of the State of Qin embarked on series of conquests that would unite China after centuries of discord. But despite this impressive achievement, the first emperor has been saddled with a particularly nasty historical reputation. Even the ancient Chinese historians did not remember him fondly. Does he really deserve this vicious reputation, or has he been the victim of fake history? (more…)
Episode #109 – What Should We Believe About Boudica? (Part III)
The rebellion led by Boudica, the Iceni warrior woman, nearly dislodged the Roman empire from the island of Britain. She had the numbers, the momentum, and a righteous cause. So why was she ultimately not successful? (more…)
Episode #108 – What Should We Believe About Boudica? (Part II)
The ancient rebel leader Boudica has become an icon in her native Britain. She is a symbol of resistance and female power. However, getting a sense of her true character is nearly impossible when examining the historical sources. Roman historians wrote elaborate speeches that they claimed she delivered to rapt audiences. But perhaps these speeches tell us more about the Roman authors than they do about the Celtic war leader. (more…)
Episode #107 – What Should We Believe About Boudica? (Part I)
They say that history is written by the winners. While it’s a trite cliché, there might be some truth in it. It’s especially true when examining a figure like the Celtic-British freedom fighter Boudica. In 60AD Boudica led her people in a violent revolt against the Roman Empire. Unfortunately everything we know about her was written by Romans. What should we believe? (more…)
Episode #106 – Is the Renaissance a Myth? (Part II)
When did the Renaissance begin? When did it end? Do these questions even have proper answers?In this episode Sebastian frets over the so-called “Renaissance Myth” and tries to draw some conclusions. Should the idea of a “Renaissance” be ditched, or does the period just need some clever re-branding. (more…)
Episode #105 – Is the Renaissance a Myth? (Part I)
The Renaissance has been touted as one of the most important moments in European history. 19th century historians like Jules Michelet and Jakob Burckhardt made the case that a “rebirth” starting in the 1300’s laid the ground work for the modern world. This idea has been massively influential, but its not without its critics. Why do some claim that Renaissance is actually a historical myth? (more…)
Episode #104- What Caused the Black Death? (Part III)
In the 1890’s a team of physicians and scientists discovered the cause of bubonic plague, a bacteria they named Yersinia Pestis. It was assumed for most of the 20th century that Yersinia Pestis also caused the infamous Black Death of the 14th century. But starting in the 1980’s a number of experts started to question this assumption. Does this theory still stand up to scrutiny? (more…)
Episode #103 – What Caused the Black Death? (Part II)
When studying the plague of the 14th century it can be easy to focus on the death, but on Our Fake History we are so much more interested in life. The people who lived through the plague dealt with the horror of the disease in a variety of weird and wonderful ways. Some people turned to religion, others to hedonism. Some felt like the only option was to whip themselves in public. (more…)
Episode #102 – What Caused the Black Death? (Part I)
The epidemic known as the Black Death struck Europe in 1347 and completely upended medieval society. It’s been estimated that roughly half of the European population was killed by this gruesome disease. Despite huge advances in our understanding of this epidemic debate still remains about the true cause of the plague. The so-called “Great Mortality” also remains the source of a number of tenacious historical myths. (more…)
Episode #101 – Who is the Real Santa Claus?
The Santa Claus legend may be one of the most sturdy pieces of mythology in modern times. While other magical creatures have faded from our common lore, the legend of Santa Claus has only grown. However, the evolution of this beloved holiday character has been downright strange. (more…)
Episode #100 – 100 Episodes? (Live in Toronto!)
In celebration of Our Fake History’s 100th episode Sebastian runs the podcaster’s gauntlet in front of a live crowd. Your host tells tales, plays guitar, and interviews an illustrious guest. But the show is stolen by guest Katie Daubs and the tales from her new book The Missing Millionaire. Tune in and find out how ritual murder, the French revolution, and the mysterious disappearance of Drake all play role in the story. (more…)
Episode #99 – Who Built the Pyramids? (Part III)
These days it’s impossible to speak about the mysteries of the pyramids without saying something about aliens from outer space. Thanks to the writings of authors like Eric Von Danieken and a slew of cheesy cable shows, the ancient astronauts hypothesis has thoroughly infected the popular understanding of the pyramids. Is there anything to these theories? What about the belief that an army of ancient Israelites was forced to builds great tombs? (more…)
Episode #98 – Who Built the Pyramids? (Part II)
The most elaborate theories concerning the Pyramids of Giza usually position those monuments as deeply different and distinct from all other Egyptian pyramids. However, to fully understand the Pyramids of Giza we need to understand them in the context of the monuments that came both before and after. As soon as we add that context some of the more audacious claims about Egypt’s pyramids become much harder to believe. Tune in and find out how Pimp My Ride, missing mummies, and way too many OFH call backs all play a role in the story. (more…)
Episode #97- Who Built the Pyramids? (Part I)
The Egyptian pyramids are easily the most mythologized pieces of architecture on the planet. They have inspired historical myths and misconceptions essentially as long as “history” has been a literary genre. The so-called “father of history” Herodotus was actually one of the first writers to try and explain the construction of the Pyramids. But should we really trust a guy who has been called the “father of lies”. Tune in and find out how my weird dating system, ancient machines, and Egyptian bathroom habits all play a role in the story. (more…)
Episode #96 – What is America’s Weirdest Secret Society?
In the 1930’s a famous California history professor thought he had discovered a long lost historical treasure. It was a brass plate apparently inscribed by the famous English adventurer Sir. Francis Drake. The plate was heralded as an amazing discovery, but it was actually an elaborate hoax orchestrated by an irreverent secret society. The group behind the hoax is known as E Clampus Vitus and it may be America’s weirdest secret society. Tune in a find out how tin-can medallions, “widders”, and a Grand Noble Humbug all play a role in the story. (more…)
Episode #95 – How Machiavellian was Machiavelli? (Part II)
Since The Prince was first published in 1532 it has attracted an eclectic group of admirers. Figures as diverse as Napoleon Bonaparte, Jean-Jaques Rousseau, and Tupac Shakur, have managed to find some deep wisdom in the pages of Niccolo Machiavelli’s little book. Machiavelli’s enduring allure has always been fueled by the controversy that swirls around his work. To this day there is no consensus around what Machiavelli’s “real” goal was when he wrote The Prince. Is it possible to determine if Machiavelli deserves his bad reputation when there is so little agreement about him? Tune in and find out how 90’s rap beef, The Grateful Dead, and the weirdest job application in history all play a role in the story. (more…)
Episode #94 – How Machiavellian was Machiavelli? (Part I)
There are few political thinkers with as evil a reputation as the Florentine writer Niccolo Machiavelli. Machiavelli’s philosophy was believed to be so cutthroat and cynically ruthless that some thought it was demonically inspired. There is even a historical myth that Niccolo Machiavelli’s first name inspired the English to call the devil “Old Nick”. Despite the fact that the story probably isn’t true, Machiavelli’s Satanic reputation has persisted. However, we need to ask if Machiavelli’s reputation deserved. Have people been misunderstanding his writing for centuries? (more…)