Our Fake History

William Shakespeare is easily the best known playwright in the English language. His works are praised as some of the greatest feats of writing and are still required reading throughout the English speaking world. But what if the man from Stratford-upon- Avon was not the true author of the plays? What if the "Bard" was actually an illiterate who bumbled into fame and fortune? There are still hundreds of educated people who believe William Shakespeare was the biggest fraud in literary history. Listen and find out how aristocratic conspiracies, faked deaths, secret ciphers, Morse code, and Mark Twain all play a role in this story! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In November of 2017 OFH did a series on the birth of Rock 'n Roll. Back then Sebastian was so terrified about getting sued that he did not include any of the music discussed in the episode. He has since been assured that "fair use" provisions in copyright law make it completely cool to use clips for the purposes of education and criticism! Seb has stopped being a baby and has finally added the music to the shows! Now is your chance to hear these episodes the way they always should have been heard--- with the music! Enjoy! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In November of 2017 OFH did a series on the birth of Rock 'n Roll. Back then Sebastian was so terrified about getting sued that he did not include any of the music discussed in the episode. He has since been assured that "fair use" provisions in copyright law make it completely cool to use clips for the purposes of education and criticism! Seb has stopped being a baby and has finally added the music to the shows! Now is your chance to hear these episodes the way they always should have been heard--- with the music! Enjoy! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this OFH Throwback we return to an episode from two summers ago called "Who Invented Your Favourite Sport?" This re-release is being done in honour of the postponed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, which should have started this past Friday. The original episode was recorded in the wake of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Back then the mythology of sport was on my mind, and in particular the fake history associated with the origins of sports. So even though you can't watch the Olympics right now, you can enjoy me nerding out on some weird sports lore. I hope in 2021 when the world finally comes together for the Olympics we will not only be celebrating athletic greatness, but we will also be celebrating the end of a pandemic, and the doctors, nurses, and scientists that helped us get there. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1324 the Malian Emperor, Mansa Musa, made a pilgrimage to Mecca that would stun the Islamic world with its magnificence. If the sources are to be believed, the emperor traveled with an entourage 60 000 fellow pilgrims and untold quantities of pure West African gold. While travelling through Egypt his lavish spending flooded the country with so much gold that he apparently caused an economic crisis. Precious metals were devalued and Egypt fell into a recession that it would take years to recover from... or at least, so goes the story. Is it true that Mansa Musa had enough gold to destabilize one of the strongest economies in the medieval world? Is it even possible to accurately calculate the wealth of someone from the 1300's? Tune in and find out how tips on copper, half-remembered conversations, and payments in gold-dust all play a role in the story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the most pernicious historical myths to ever circulate is the wrongheaded belief that sub-Saharan Africa was uncivilized and devoid of history before the era of European colonialism. The sophistication and opulence of the Mali Empire during the 13th and 14th centuries completely shreds that idea. Many historians have pointed out that in the 1300's Mali was wealthier, better organized, and more literate than most European societies. The Kings, or Mansas, of Mali may have even been the richest people to have ever lived. But are the tales of the Mansas' wealth believable? Tune in and find out how a hungering lion, African Atlantic explorers, and gold dust currency all play a role in the story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are few tales of revenge as epic as that of Olga of Kyiv. In 945 AD Olga set out on a campaign of vengeance that would make a lasting mark on the history of Eastern Europe. However, there is good reason to believe it never actually happened. The source that contains the tale of Olga's vengeance is among the most unreliable chronicles of the medieval era. What should we believe about one of Eastern Europe's most merciless female rulers? Tune in and find out how arrogant boat faces, burning bathhouses, and a baptism switcheroo all play a role in the story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this quick announcement Sebastian lets everyone know that the next Our Fake History will be released on June 23. Sebastian also expresses the podcast's solidarity with all of those protesting for an end to racism. He also points his listeners towards a few resources to learn more about Black history in the USA and Canada.Follow this link to check out the Library of Congress Civil Rights Oral History collection:https://www.loc.gov/collections/civil-rights-history-project/Follow this link for the interviews featured at the National Museum of African American History and Culture:https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/initiatives/oralhistory/civil-rights-history-project See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After unifying the "Warring States" the first emperor of China turned his attention to an even more lofty goal: becoming an immortal. When describing the first emperor the ancient sources paint a picture of man consumed by narcissism and paranoia. We're told that in his quest to defy death the first emperor put his trust in shady magicians and smooth talking charlatans. Did the hunt for eternal life actually kill China's first emperor? Tune in and find out how the strongest man in China, a sea monster, and a conspicuously good lute player all play a roll in the story.  Buy T-shirts, mugs, and even face masks here: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/our-fake-history?ref_id=9701 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Chinese folklore the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, is never presented as a hero. Instead he is always presented as villain who is undone by his own arrogance and impiety. He is often introduced in folk tales as the "Wicked Emperor Qin Shi Huang". However, historians believe that many of the most salacious stories about China's first emperor may have been exaggerated or invented by later writers who did not care for his preferred philosophy. Has one of China's most significant figures been the victim of fake history? Tune in and find out how ghost tablets, huge dongs, and a philosophy more Machiavellian than Machiavelli all play a role in the story.     See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.