The Illusion of Absolute Truth

Is history a truly objective record of past events, or simply a collection of selected, revised, and carefully constructed narratives designed to serve ulterior motives? Since the dawn of civilization, leaders have sought to immortalize their triumphs while consigning their defeats to oblivion. Pharaohs inscribed their victories on the walls of monumental temples, and ancient kings etched them onto durable clay tablets. The adage “history is written by the victor” is not merely a cliché, but a stark reality that has manifested throughout history.

Herodotus, often called the “Father of History,” relied on oral traditions in the fifth century BC, a practice that presents both advantages and limitations due to the potential for bias and inaccuracies. During the Middle Ages, the Church monopolized historical interpretation, skillfully shaping events to align with its established doctrines and thereby justify its absolute authority. The Inquisition stands as a stark example of how history can be manipulated into a brutal instrument of oppression.

The nineteenth century witnessed the rise of fervent historical nationalism. Emerging states weaponized history to legitimize their precarious existence, construct artificial identities, and exaggerate their heroic achievements, while conveniently overlooking their shameful failures. The “history crisis” in Germany highlighted the profound difficulty in objectively confronting the horrific Nazi past and the dangers of blind ideology distorting factual accounts.

A recent study indicates that a significant proportion of university students believe that the information presented in history books represents the complete and unquestionable truth. The anecdote of Newton’s apple serves as a simple illustration of how a scientific simplification can, over time, evolve into an accepted historical fact, even though Newton himself only cited the falling apple as an inspiration for his theory of gravity.

Today, we are here to expose these accumulated falsehoods.

Misconception #1: The Earth is Flat

The Earth is flat… a concept prevalent in some ancient civilizations before scientific evidence proved its sphericity. Over two millennia ago, Eratosthenes not only challenged this notion but also measured the Earth’s circumference with remarkable precision. Imagine that! Before the advent of satellites and telescopes, this brilliant Greek scholar, using only the angles of the sun and shadows in two distant cities, provided an estimate that closely approximates reality. Aristotle himself, in the fourth century BC, observed the circular shadow cast on the moon’s surface during eclipses, providing conclusive evidence of a spherical planet. Later, during the Age of Discovery, Magellan’s historic circumnavigation of the globe in the fifteenth century served not only as a daring maritime feat but also as irrefutable empirical proof.

So, how did this misconception persist? Why does the specter of the flat Earth resurface in an age of science and technology? This issue extends beyond abstract scientific facts and delves into the realms of human psychology and sociology. The Flat Earth Society, founded in the nineteenth century and still active today, represents a stark expression of widespread distrust. Modern studies suggest that belief in the flat Earth theory is often closely associated with other conspiracy theories. Flat Earth proponents dismiss images and videos from outer space as fabrications and deceptions perpetrated by conspiring governments, placing absolute faith in their own convictions. A survey revealed that a significant percentage of Americans firmly believe in a flat Earth, revealing an underlying current of doubt, suspicion, and disbelief permeating society.

Misconception #2: Nero Caused the Great Fire of Rome

Misconception number two: Nero did not directly cause the Great Fire of Rome; rather, malicious political machinations may have contributed to the fire’s repercussions. The truth, as suggested by available documentation, is more complex and troubling than the simple image of an emperor playing his lyre while his city burned. In 64 AD, a massive fire erupted in Rome, lasting nine days and reducing vast portions of the city to ashes. But did Nero himself ignite this devastating blaze? The evidence strongly suggests otherwise. While the flames engulfed Rome, Nero was in Antium, fifty-six kilometers away.

The lingering question remains: how did this falsehood become so deeply ingrained in the collective memory? The answer lies in the intense political rivalries that were tearing the Roman Empire apart. In the aftermath of the disaster, Nero promptly provided aid to the displaced, offering shelter and essential provisions, and immediately initiated the reconstruction of Rome, prioritizing the use of fire-resistant materials and improved urban planning. However, these efforts did not exonerate him in the eyes of his adversaries, who accused him and falsely implicated innocent Christians in starting the fire, accusations fueled by base political motives. This unjust accusation led to a brutal wave of persecution against Christians and intensified the animosity towards Nero. The historian Tacitus, a contemporary of the events, acknowledged Nero’s presence in Antium during the fire but also relayed the rumors accusing him of arson, thereby contributing to the perpetuation of the falsehood. The key lies in understanding how history can be deceptively employed to damage the reputations of leaders and achieve self-serving political objectives. A vivid scene: Nero igniting Rome…

The misconception took hold, but how could such a narrative take root so deeply in the soil of history? It is not a mere coincidence but rather the result of a complex process of systematic distortion and manipulation. Imagine, years after the tragedy of the fire, as the embers of memory still smoldered, narratives began to emerge, not from the accounts of eyewitnesses who lived through those horrific moments, but from the pens of historians writing decades, even centuries, after the event. Cassius Dio, a senator who did not witness the flames engulf the city, added a new dimension to the tragic scene: Nero playing his lyre while Rome burned! A dramatic and captivating image, but unfortunately belated and lacking any contemporary corroboration. These later narratives were fueled by resentment and growing animosity towards Nero’s rule. The heavy taxes levied on the populace and the extravagant spending on ambitious architectural projects, particularly his opulent Golden Palace (Domus Aurea), further inflamed popular discontent.

Misconception #3: “Let Them Eat Cake”

Misconception number three whispers in the dark corridors of history: “Let them eat cake,” words attributed to Marie Antoinette, a stigma that unjustly haunted her throughout her life. Let us subject this phrase to rigorous scrutiny to expose the falsehood that has concealed itself for centuries and distorted her image. First, the earliest written reference to a similar phrase, “Let them eat brioche,” appeared in Rousseau’s “Confessions,” many years before Marie Antoinette became queen, although the book was published posthumously. Second, there is no contemporary historical evidence definitively linking this saying to the queen. Third, Marie Antoinette was an unpopular figure in France, and her Austrian origins and extravagant lifestyle made her an easy target for criticism and rumors. Fourth, this falsehood can be considered a potent tool for defaming the aristocracy, portraying them as utterly detached from the suffering of the people and stripping them of their humanity, thereby fueling the flames of revolution.

Misconception #4: Columbus Discovered America

Misconception number four: Christopher Columbus discovered America… a phrase that encapsulates centuries of systematic neglect and even perpetuates it. Let us deconstruct this statement, not as a mere slip of the tongue, but as an ideological construct with deep roots. Before Columbus set foot on the Americas, the continent, encompassing both North and South America, teemed with life, with civilizations deeply rooted and extending back thousands of years. In 1492, Columbus was not discovering a virgin continent but entering a world inhabited by between fifty and one hundred million people: organized societies with robust structures, thriving civil states, and complex trade networks connecting the far reaches of the continent. Columbus was not even the first European to set foot on these shores, as Viking records attest to daring sea voyages led by Leif Erikson centuries before Columbus’s voyage. The answer lies in the dire consequences, as Columbus’s voyages ushered in an era of brutal European colonialism, and a wave of invaders swept across the continent, bringing with them deadly diseases, brutal violence, and systematic enslavement. The term “discovery” here is not merely a neutral description of events but an explicit denial of the existence, history, and civilization of the indigenous peoples, and an implicit justification for a process of colonization and genocide.

October 12, 1492, was not the dawn of discovery but the beginning of a tragedy. Imagine the scene from the perspective of the Taino people, the inhabitants of the Caribbean islands, who had lived for centuries in harmony with the sun and the sea, building cohesive communities and a life in rhythm with nature. Columbus’s own words reveal a bitter truth: “They do not know weapons.” An observation not of astonishment but of brutal exploitation, for their unfamiliarity with swords was not a sign of innocence but a golden opportunity. It was not long before gifts turned into shackles and smiles into stifled cries. The search for gold, the underlying motive behind this expedition, transformed into a terrifying nightmare. Taino men, women, and children were forced into slavery under the whips of the invaders.

Misconception #5: Napoleon Was Short

Misconception number five: Napoleon was short! What a paradox that a man who ruled Europe should have his image reduced to his alleged short stature. But was Napoleon really a dwarf, as he is often portrayed? The truth, as the figures clearly reveal, is quite different from what is commonly believed. According to French measurements, Napoleon was…