Art, obsession, and identity
One of Britain's most popular folk heroes, Robin Hood is said to have robbed from the rich to give to the poor.
According to certain scholars, the narrative of Robin Hood draws inspiration from Fulk FitzWarin, a nobleman who defied King John. Nonetheless, the renowned bandit Robin Hood himself is purely fictional.
The most famous playwright in the history of the English language must have existed, right? Perhaps not. Some experts speculate that "William Shakespeare" was merely a pseudonym, and the actual author behind those works remains unknown to this day. There are theories that he was multiple writers collaborating.
The tale of King Arthur and his assembly of knights has endured for centuries. However, the query remains: did Arthur truly exist, or was his story simply inspired by a real man?
Historians have mentioned Roman military commanders Lucius Artorius Castus and Riothamus as potential candidates for the legendary figure who inspired King Arthur. The King Arthur who supposedly pulled Excalibur from the stone is likely no more than a legend.
Mary Magdalene, a familiar figure from the Bible, is often seen as a penitent prostitute who encounters Jesus ( and according to 'The Lost Gospel,' there is speculation that Jesus may have married her).
Contrary to popular belief, the Bible does not portray Magdalene as a sinner or prostitute. Rather, she simply washed Jesus' feet and witnessed his resurrection. Thus, if Mary Magdalene did indeed exist, she was not the figure often misconstrued in Christian tales.
The philosopher from China established the Ru School of Chinese philosophy, giving rise to the philosophy of Confucianism.
Confucius is often given credit for the Golden Rule "Do not do unto others what you do not want done to yourself." However, uncertainties persist regarding his life and the prevailing legend often overshadows the actual man.
The authorship of the mythological epics 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey' has been attributed to the Greek poet who is recognized as the first person to transcribe them, rather than their original creator.
The identity of Homer remains a mystery, as he has been labeled blind, a woman, and a collective of Greek scholars. The existence of the Homer we envision remains uncertain.
Yes, allegedly, this is the individual credited with the Pythagorean theorem. His lasting impact on mathematics endures, but the question remains: did he truly exist?
There are differing beliefs among scholars regarding the authenticity of the writings attributed to him. Some suggest that his followers, called Pythagoreans, were the actual authors, while others argue that he himself may have been a fictional figure, purportedly leading the Pythagoreans.
You may be familiar with this name from the Disney films. Mulan is a warrior's daughter who masquerades as a male warrior in order to fight.
Mulan's name is absent from historical records, yet many believe the story of Mulan was inspired by a real Chinese soldier called Wei Huahu.
According to legend, a Swiss folk hero armed with his crossbow spearheaded a minor rebellion in the 14th century against the ruling Austrians in Switzerland.
However, similar to numerous other legendary figures, there lacks sufficient proof to confirm his existence.
Joan was elected as pope in 855 CE. If you find it difficult to believe that a woman held such a position during that period, you're not alone. Even the Catholic Church labels her as a mythical figure.
According to the tale, Pope Joan's true gender remained concealed until she became pregnant and unexpectedly delivered a child during a procession. Pope Joan passed away not long thereafter.
Kunta Kinte was enslaved in Gambia and transported to America. Alex Haley's book, 'Roots: The Saga of an American Family,' tells his compelling story.
The birthplace of Kunta Kinte has become a popular tourist spot after a TV miniseries portrayed his story. However, upon investigation, journalists have found historical inaccuracies that suggest Kunta Kinte may not have been enslaved or may not have existed at all.
Is it true that Sun Tzu, the renowned Chinese military leader and warrior, who wrote 'The Art of War,' actually existed? His book remains a classic text on military strategy.
Some experts suggest that "Sun Tzu" could be a pseudonym, and 'The Art of War' may in fact be a compilation of Chinese military strategies and theories from multiple minds rather than one genius.
St. Christopher, known as the patron saint of travelers, holds another title as the patron saint of fruit dealers. According to legend, he converted many to Christianity and ultimately became a martyr.
There is a belief among certain scholars that, in the event of his actual existence, he may have been an ordinary individual who simply embraced Christianity and was executed by the Romans as a result. Interestingly, the Vatican removed his name from their calendar, yet they did not officially remove his status as a saint, owing to his enduring popularity.
The founder of Taoism, an ancient Chinese philosopher, is believed to be a combination of history and myth.
The authorship of the Chinese text Tao Te Ching by Laozi remains a subject of ongoing debate.
John Henry, an African-American former slave, is a renowned figure of folklore. He served as a steel driver during railroad building. It is said that he died trying to beat a rock-drilling machine propelled by steam power. Despite emerging victorious, Henry succumbed to exhaustion soon after.
Henry's tale has been depicted in various art forms, such as the song 'The Ballad of John Henry.' While there is uncertainty surrounding his existence, speculations suggest that his origins may lie in Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, or even Jamaica, where his renowned achievement supposedly occurred.
Lycurgus is said to have formulated the laws of ancient Sparta, aiming to embody three essential Spartan values: equality, military preparedness, and austerity.
There is speculation that while a man by the name of Lycurgus may have existed, the lawgiver who greatly influenced the reformation of Sparta could be more of a legendary character.
According to historical accounts, during the Revolutionary War, a legendary female hero rode approximately 40 miles (about 65 km) to alert New Yorkers of an imminent British invasion. The story of her epic ride was not mentioned, however, until over a century after it supposedly happened.
Sources: (Grunge)
There are famous names that have become so popular over time that we often assume they are real historical figures. We've already discussed iconic places that probably never existed. Now, let's shift our focus to people who belong in the same category. Some of these individuals are likely fictional, while others may have been real, but their true stories are a far cry from the tales we tell about them.
If you're curious to find out who may or may not have existed, click through the gallery.
Did these famous figures ever really exist?
Many of history's great heroes might have been made up!
LIFESTYLE History
There are famous names that have become so popular over time that we often assume they are real historical figures. We've already discussed iconic places that probably never existed. Now, let's shift our focus to people who belong in the same category. Some of these individuals are likely fictional, while others may have been real, but their true stories are a far cry from the tales we tell about them.
If you're curious to find out who may or may not have existed, click through the gallery.