5 famous facts about historical figures that are actually myths
10/31/2018
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If you love history, you are probably aware of some of the weirdest stories about great historical figures. Most people want to believe these incredible facts, but are they at least half true? Let's figure it out together.
#1
Antonio Salieri was a profound classical composer and a talented teacher who taught such great musicians as Schubert, Beethoven, Liszt, Hummer. Anyway, he is best remembered for the thing he didn't even do.
The cause of Mozart's death can't be known with certainty, but the official record has it as "severe miliary fever". In 1791, the famous composer died of illness, but the rumors about Salieri poisoning Mozart appeared quickly and persisted long after. Years later, when Salieri was suffering a mental breakdown, he even accused himself of having killed Mozart, which only strengthened the rumors.
He later tried to deny the speculation surrounding this story, but it was too late. The poisoning legend got its biggest boost after Salieri's death, when Alexander Pushkin wrote a miniature tragedy "Mozart and Salieri". In the tragedy, Salieri openly poisons Mozart. By 1860s, Salieri and his music sank into oblivion, while Mozart's reputation continued to rise.
The cause of Mozart's death can't be known with certainty, but the official record has it as "severe miliary fever". In 1791, the famous composer died of illness, but the rumors about Salieri poisoning Mozart appeared quickly and persisted long after. Years later, when Salieri was suffering a mental breakdown, he even accused himself of having killed Mozart, which only strengthened the rumors.
He later tried to deny the speculation surrounding this story, but it was too late. The poisoning legend got its biggest boost after Salieri's death, when Alexander Pushkin wrote a miniature tragedy "Mozart and Salieri". In the tragedy, Salieri openly poisons Mozart. By 1860s, Salieri and his music sank into oblivion, while Mozart's reputation continued to rise.
#2
In 1888, Vincent van Gogh didn't cut off his whole ear, it was just a part of his left earlobe. Anyway, it was not a sensible thing to do, and the famous painter was hospitalized soon after. He later checked himself into a mental institution in Saint-Remy for a year, where he produced such famous works as "Starry Night" and "Irises".
#3
Yes, the famous explorer planned the expedition around the world and intended to become the first one to circumnavigate the planet. Magellan's expedition set off from Spain on September 20, 1519, but everything didn't go as planned. Magellan managed to cross the Atlantic and successfully lead his crew over the large part of the Pacific. On the halfway to complete the circumnavigation, he was killed by the natives on the Philippines. Anyway, the expedition continued.
Of the original 260 crewmen, only 18 survived and arrived back in Spain in 1522. Juan Sebastian Elcano, a Basque explorer and mariner, took command of the expedition after Magellan's death. That's why the first voyage around the world in human history is called the Magellan–Elcano circumnavigation.
Of the original 260 crewmen, only 18 survived and arrived back in Spain in 1522. Juan Sebastian Elcano, a Basque explorer and mariner, took command of the expedition after Magellan's death. That's why the first voyage around the world in human history is called the Magellan–Elcano circumnavigation.
#4
The only documentary source that might prove that Leonardo was a vegetarian is a letter written by one of his friends, where he compares Leonardo to the people of India who don't eat meat not to harm living creatures. Anyway, this myth is quote popular, and even modern vegetarians often claim Leonardo da Vinci as on one of the first famous vegetarians. The truth is vegetarianism would have been quite absurd in Leonardo's era, as people of those times ate everything they could afford and usually didn't follow any unusual eating habits.
#5
In 1849, Poe died in mysterious circumstances - he was found drunk on the streets of Baltimore and taken to the hospital where he died. His alcoholism quickly became a legend, as well as his addiction to opium. Yes, the famous author had problems with alcohol, but by the end of his life he tried to avoid it. Alcohol made Poe very sick, just like at the moment before he died. According to his contemporaries, Poe died of a severe illness, probably a rabies infection.
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39 Comments
Grant McIntosh
"According to his contemporaries, Poe died of a severe illness, probably a rabies infection". So hearsay and assumption..
"The truth is vegetarianism would have been quite absurd in Leonardo's era, as people of those times ate everything they could afford and usually didn't follow any unusual eating habits"
Again, an assumption, especially as several religious beliefs were against the consumption of living creatures., long before Leonardo's lifetime. In fact, as the article says: "a letter written by one of his friends, where he .compares Leonardo to the people of India who don't eat meat not to harm living creatures".. So if there are people, in 'Leonardo's era' who are vegetarian, according to Wilson's article, how is vegetarianism "quite absurd in Leonardo's era, "
So at least two of these 'facts' are assumptions and contradictory, and nobody actually knows. Another load of nonsense..
Bob Gorby
One theory about Poe’s death: there was an election full swing. In those days, candidates “traded booze for votes”. Some believe campaigners liquors Poe up. His tolerance for alcohol was low (“1 glass of wine could drive me insane”, Poe wrote). The “party” carried on, leaving Poe to spend the night in a gutter.
Leticia Olsen
💁🏻♀️Nice to know that being a genius can turn into nots!!🦉
Patricia M. Culpepper
Very interesting!! Liked reading those facts.
Allison Aspden
Interesting true facts about legendary historical figures!
Alby Stockwell
Enjoy true facts
Carolyn Frederick
Great! Thank you!
jch
Good to know.
filesmarsha
Very interesting to know the facts after being brought up on the myths.
tbear
Good to know!
Pedro Ruiz
Outstanding history lesson.
Very informative.
ninakamwene
Interesting trivia knowledge to know. Thank you.
stellaclaude
Very interesting!
Shahina Moin
Well thats interesting
Ketan Patel
Well well well, that was interesting!
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