Have you ever wondered if the history we know is really true? Some people believe in conspiracy theories that suggest our history might be very different from what we think. Let’s dive into some of these intriguing theories and see what they’re all about!
One of the most fascinating theories is the Phantom Time Hypothesis. This idea was introduced in the 1990s by Herbert Illig. He claimed that about 300 years of history were made up, specifically from around 614 CE to 911 CE. According to Illig, Holy Roman Emperor Otto III and Pope Sylvester II wanted to rule during the year 1000, so they added these years to the calendar. They supposedly got monks to create stories about this time, including tales of Charlemagne and the Middle Ages. However, to believe this theory, we’d have to ignore a lot of historical evidence and artifacts.
History is full of stories about cities burning down, like Chicago in 1871 and London in 1666. One of the most famous fires happened in Rome in 64 CE. Many people blamed Emperor Nero for starting the fire. Some say he wanted to rebuild the city his way, while others think he wanted to blame Christians for the disaster. However, the famous image of Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned is just a myth. Most historians believe the fire was an accident, but Nero’s bad reputation keeps the conspiracy alive.
Another popular theory questions whether William Shakespeare actually wrote his famous plays. In the mid-19th century, some people suggested that Sir Francis Bacon or a group of writers were the real authors. They pointed to a lack of evidence about Shakespeare’s education and the absence of plays published under his name at certain times. Despite these claims, there is plenty of evidence that Shakespeare was a real person and wrote the works attributed to him.
During Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, conspiracy theories were rampant. One theory suggested that his Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, was involved in Lincoln’s assassination due to disagreements over reconstruction plans. This idea was proposed in a 1937 book by Otto Eisenschimmel, but historians have found no solid evidence to support it. Another theory claims that John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s assassin, survived and lived as a drifter, with some saying he ended up in Egypt.
In 1910, Bram Stoker published a book suggesting that Queen Elizabeth I was actually a boy in disguise. This theory has intrigued people over the years, but there is no credible evidence to support it.
The infamous Jack the Ripper murders in London have sparked numerous conspiracy theories. Some suggest that Lord Randolph Churchill or Prince Albert Victor was the killer. However, these theories lack solid evidence and remain speculative.
In 1898, the USS Maine sank, leading to conspiracy theories about whether it was a deliberate act to provoke war with Spain. Some believe media mogul William Randolph Hearst orchestrated the incident to boost newspaper sales and push the U.S. into conflict. However, no serious historian supports the idea that the yellow press caused the war.
History is full of mysteries and unanswered questions, and these conspiracy theories show how people try to make sense of the past. While they are fascinating to explore, it’s important to rely on credible evidence and research when studying history. If you have any cool historical stories, feel free to share them!
Research the Phantom Time Hypothesis and gather evidence both supporting and refuting the theory. Divide into two groups and hold a debate. One group will argue in favor of the hypothesis, while the other will argue against it. Use historical evidence and logical reasoning to support your arguments.
Imagine you are living in the time of Shakespeare. Write a short story or play from the perspective of someone who believes in the conspiracy that Shakespeare did not write his plays. Use historical context and characters to make your story engaging and plausible.
In groups, create a role-playing scenario where you are citizens of Rome during the Great Fire. Assign roles such as Emperor Nero, a Roman citizen, and a Christian. Discuss and act out your perspectives on the fire and the rumors surrounding it. Reflect on how rumors and conspiracies can shape public perception.
Assume the role of an investigative journalist in the 19th century. Research the conspiracy theories surrounding Lincoln’s assassination and write an article that presents the evidence for and against these theories. Conclude with your own opinion based on the evidence you have gathered.
Create a visual art project that represents one of the historical conspiracy theories discussed in the article. Use any medium you prefer, such as drawing, painting, or digital art. Present your artwork to the class and explain the theory it represents and the artistic choices you made.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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We might not be living in the year 2022. In fact, human civilization itself might not be nearly as old as you think, at least according to one modern conspiracy theory that casts doubt on much of our history after around 614 CE, known as the Phantom Time Hypothesis. This theory emerged in the 1990s, thanks to a man named Herbert Illig. According to Illig, Holy Roman Emperor Otto III and Pope Sylvester II conspired to add around 300 years to the calendar to place themselves in power in the year 1000. Apparently, ruling during a nice round number like that was a conversation starter, and the duo wanted in on it. After deciding to manipulate time, they concocted a vast conspiracy involving countless monks throughout the Western world who helped fill in the missing centuries with tales about an emperor named Charlemagne and something called the Middle Ages, much of which Illig argues is essentially ancient fan fiction.
As for his evidence, Illig points to perceived inconsistencies in the Gregorian calendar as an explanation for how 300 years could have been plucked from thin air. While it’s true that early history often stretched the truth or created it entirely out of whole cloth, we would have to discount a significant amount of primary sources and artifacts to even begin considering Illig’s theory plausible.
Hi, I’m Erin McCarthy, editor-in-chief of Mental Floss, and welcome to the List Show.
Okay, so you’re probably not convinced that we’re really living in the year 1722, but that’s only the beginning of the strange historical conspiracy theories we’re bringing you today. Let’s get started.
History is full of stories of entire cities burning or nearly burning to the ground after a simple fire grew out of control. It happened in Chicago in 1871, London in 1666, and perhaps most famously, in Rome. You probably know part of the story: in 64 CE, a fire spread from Circus Maximus and damaged or destroyed 10 of the capital’s 14 districts. Hundreds died, and thousands lost their homes. Rumors spread about the origin of the inferno soon after it was extinguished, and many people at the time, and in the centuries since, blamed Emperor Nero.
There are two main theories proposed as to why the emperor would purposely burn his own capital city. One theory suggests that Nero didn’t like the way Rome looked and wanted to redecorate, while another posits that he orchestrated the fire to blame the Christians, believing it would curb their influence in Rome. The thing is, much of the information about the fire comes from second-hand sources like Tacitus, who was just a child when the fire started and was no fan of Nero. Tacitus and others relied on unconfirmed accounts of the fire that may have been misunderstood or embellished along the way.
You know that famous image of Nero fiddling as Rome burned? Not true. One reason theories like this survive is that Nero is recognized as one of the most notorious Roman emperors, and he’s been blamed for various heinous acts. Even if most modern historians believe the fire was simply an accident, it’s not outlandish to blame the emperor who persecuted Christians.
Moving on to William Shakespeare, there are conspiracy theories suggesting he wasn’t a real author. This theory gained prominence in the mid-19th century when two books were published arguing that Sir Francis Bacon, or a group of writers, was behind the works attributed to Shakespeare. The evidence presented was a lack of documentation proving Shakespeare’s education and the absence of plays published under his name during certain years. However, there is substantial evidence that Shakespeare was indeed a real person, including contemporary mentions of his work.
Abraham Lincoln was no stranger to conspiracy theories during his presidency. Some claimed that his Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, was involved in a plot to assassinate him due to disagreements over reconstruction plans. Otto Eisenschimmel proposed this theory in a 1937 book, suggesting Stanton orchestrated the assassination. However, scholars have found no real evidence to support these claims.
There are also theories that John Wilkes Booth survived the assassination and lived out his days as a drifter, with one theory claiming he ended up in Egypt.
Another historical conspiracy involves Queen Elizabeth I. Bram Stoker published a book in 1910 suggesting that Elizabeth was actually a boy in disguise, a theory that gained traction over the years.
The Jack the Ripper murders have also spawned numerous theories, including one implicating Lord Randolph Churchill and another suggesting Prince Albert Victor was the killer. However, there is no solid evidence to support these claims.
In 1898, the sinking of the USS Maine led to conspiracy theories about whether it was a deliberate act to provoke war with Spain. Some believe media mogul William Randolph Hearst orchestrated the incident to boost newspaper sales and push the U.S. into conflict. However, no serious historian supports the notion that the yellow press caused the war.
We’ve got an upcoming episode on explorers who disappeared without a trace. If you know of a cool story from history, drop it in the comments below for a chance to be featured in that episode. And don’t forget to subscribe to Mental Floss if you haven’t already. Thanks for watching!
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History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Example sentence: In history class, we learned about the causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution.
Theories – Systematic ideas intended to explain certain phenomena, often based on general principles independent of the phenomena being explained. – Example sentence: Historians have developed various theories to explain the fall of the Roman Empire.
Evidence – Information or facts that help prove or disprove something, often used to support historical claims. – Example sentence: The discovery of ancient artifacts provided new evidence about the daily lives of early civilizations.
Conspiracy – A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful, often used in historical contexts to describe plots against governments or leaders. – Example sentence: The conspiracy to overthrow the king was uncovered before it could be carried out.
Identity – The characteristics, feelings, or beliefs that distinguish people or groups, often explored in historical contexts to understand cultural and national development. – Example sentence: The Renaissance played a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of Europe.
Assassination – The deliberate killing of a prominent or important person, often for political reasons. – Example sentence: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand is widely considered the spark that ignited World War I.
Mystery – Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain, often used in history to describe unexplained events or phenomena. – Example sentence: The disappearance of the Roanoke Colony remains one of the greatest mysteries in American history.
Fire – A destructive burning, often significant in historical contexts for its impact on societies and cities. – Example sentence: The Great Fire of London in 1666 led to significant changes in building regulations and urban planning.
Questions – Inquiries or investigations into historical events, often used to challenge or expand existing knowledge. – Example sentence: Historians continue to ask questions about the true motivations behind the Crusades.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Example sentence: Conducting thorough research is essential for historians to accurately interpret past events.
