Kunta Kinte
Alex Haley’s fascinating novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family, published in 1976, followed the lives and descendants of Kunta Kinte, an African man forced into slavery. The story, which Haley claimed was based on his own real-life ancestor, immediately became a bestseller, inspiring the popular ABC miniseries Roots. Unfortunately, many of the facts were untrue! Haley himself recognised that the work was “faction,” and while historians ultimately discovered that a man named Kunta Kinte existed in Gambia, he was most likely never taken as a slave to America.
Robin Hood
Robin Hood, one of the most iconic folk characters in British history, is claimed to have lived in Sherwood Forest during King Richard’s reign, robbing from the wealthy and giving to the needy. Unfortunately, the Prince of Thieves was most likely a fictitious character portrayed in a series of mediaeval ballads. Academics combed historical records for indications of this arrow-slinging, forest-dwelling defender of the ordinary people, but found no substantial evidence. Others think that the 14th-century poems could have been inspired by a real-life bandit.
King Arthur
According to ancient Welsh folklore, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table led the Britons in wars against Saxon invaders in the fifth or sixth centuries. While we know that much of the Arthurian legends—his trusted magician Merlin, his magic sword Excalibur, and his quest for the Holy Grail—were made up by writers throughout history, the monarch’s existence is still disputed. Some academics argue that he is just a Celtic mythology figure, while others believe he was inspired by a real-life king.
Homer
If you’ve ever studied classical Greek literature, you’ve likely read Homer! While researchers have discovered references to the poet dating back as early as the seventh century BCE, nothing is known about this mysterious character. The evidence for his existence is dubious at best, and many ancient books and biographies have been revealed to be more myth than reality. In fact, some scholars suggest that Homer’s famous epic poems, the Iliad and Odyssey, were “products of an oral tradition” performed by multiple anonymous Greek bards, rather than being written at all!
Confucius
Historians believe Confucius was an ancient Chinese sage and minister of state who lived between 551 and 479 BCE. His teachings and philosophy, known as Confucianism, emphasised morality and personal virtue, and he is still prominent in China and East Asia today. But, while his works endure, the man himself may not have lived. The first descriptions of Confucius appeared 400 years after his death, and a few experts have even suggested that the philosopher was fabricated by Jesuit missionaries!
King Solomon
According to the Bible, King Solomon was a strong monarch and prophet who was revered by Christians and Jews. While researchers have been able to confirm the reality of subsequent biblical rulers, many believe Solomon is “an outright myth.” However, the controversy was rekindled in 2021, when British marine archaeologist Dr. Sean Kingsley claimed to have discovered remains of Solomon’s dominion in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, a 2023 investigation discovered new archaeological evidence indicating that he did, in fact, reign in the early 10th century BCE.
Pythagoras
Surprised? That’s correct: the Greek philosopher, mathematician, and name behind the Pythagorean theorem may not have been a real person. Some academics claim that Pythagoras’ name was utilised as a symbol or persona, given that all historical accounts of him are based on second – or third-hand sources. Others have proposed that his disciples, the Pythagoreans, are accountable for his discoveries and teachings. Overall, historical evidence indicates that Pythagoras, if he existed, was primarily a source of mystical insight.
Saint Christopher
St. Christopher, the guardian of travellers, is one of Catholicism’s most prominent patron saints. Trendy St. Christopher pendants have been worn by safety-conscious travellers everywhere, from sailors to bikers to digital nomad influencers. However, in 1969, Pope Paul VI withdrew the martyr from the universal calendar and cancelled his feast day. Why? Because there was insufficient evidence that the man had ever existed. While archaeological evidence of St. Christopher’s life has been discovered, scholars continue to argue the topic.
