History's Greatest Myths

Episode 1 of History's Greatest Myths delves into the lives of great inventors and their inventions.

An entertaining myth kick starts the episode…who invented the Internet?  Was it Al Gore as he himself once professed? From self - serving early American inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, to near forgotten inventors Rosalind Franklin and Lizze Maggie, to the Nazi Party who claimed Hitler invented the Autobahn for pure propaganda purposes, Episode 1 ends on the most delicious myth of all we look into the true inventor of the croissant and the sandwich.

It is easy to believe the myths that swirl around these contributions, and contributors.

What we do learn is that the reality at the centre of these myths is no less incredible. That humans advance ever onward; each amazing achievement standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before.

Episode 2 of History's Greatest Myths explores how popular culture, entertainment and the all-consuming nature of fame are a feature of our daily lives. And from the lives of storytellers, both artistic and scientific, fertile myths may grow.

From the myth of the moon landing, to the untimely deaths of Elvis' and Walt Disney. From the true author of Shakespeare's works through to unraveling the myth of the Moral Panics of each generation. From delving into cinema's founding myth to probing whether Orson Wells' "War of the Worlds broadcast" was the first truly successful fake news broadcast. We explore how humans are obsessed with creating new realities if the ones offered are too difficult to believe.

Beyond our fascination with celebrity, telling stories is at the core of who we are. And at times, myths with their unfettered plot twists and turns, make the most seductive stories of all.

Episode 3 of History's Greatest Myths delves into the great wars and conflicts that have changed the world. These battles have redrawn the map, invented new technologies and created ever more devastating ways of killing one another.

Going back in time we look at how the Trojan War and the Gladiators of Ancient Rome used weaponry and tactics to fight their enemies. Though separated by thousands of years, the same tactics can be seen in the deceptive planning of the invasion of Iraq as the US and UK were looking for weapons of mass destruction. Fast forward to the 20th century, and WWI and WWII were a fertile place for myths, and names like FDR and Rommel were etched in history.

As a result of war and conflict, sometimes individual figures became larger than life – heroes or villains on the world stage. And stories of epic battles become legends told and retold, throughout the ages.

Episode 4 of History's Greatest Myths explore the theme of society and the myths that engulf memories of the past. These myths become woven into the fabric of our society, and, in some cases, passed down from generation to generation.

Myths surrounding feminism and the suffragettes still swirl. And links between these myths can also be seen through the stories of the Salem Witch Trials. Suffering is a recurring theme throughout the ages and this is explored in the myths of the bloody murders of Jack the Ripper and suffering as a result of the Stock Market crash. As with most moments in history, memories can create a foggy recollection of the past. Days gone by seem rosier than the present, so the Good Old Days are fetishised. But what happens when, in the case of the Flat Earthers, we look to the past and disregard science? 

Episode 5 of History's Greatest Myths looks at the leaders and legends who have shaped the course of history. Many become legends even in their own lifetime, others are history's greatest villains.

This episode focuses on great leaders like King Arthur and Joan of Arc but conversely, follows up on myths that question the circumstances surrounding the death of Anastasia Romanov and the even more infamous Hitler. The unexpected death of great leaders is difficult to process, so the assassination of JFk and that of the Swedish Prime Minister Olaf Palme, swirl with talk of conspiracy. A lingering myth of the importance of the Illuminati in today's society gives credence to the idea that there are always powerful people pulling the strings on a world stage.

These are figures whose mythologies outlive their real influence and actions and whose legend remains with us, sometimes for millenia.

Episode 6 of History's Greatest Myths looks at the mystery that lies in vast and unexplored places. In the relics of ancient civilisations, whose truths are lost to time. In the secrets we keep, and the ones that are kept from us.

From the undiscovered location of Atlantis to the unknown properties of the Bermuda triangle, Episode 6 is rife with intrigue. We delve into the unfathomable deaths of Amelia Earhart and Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt and look for meaning in the quatrains of Nostradamus' Centuries. And while modern day conspiracy theorists look to Area 51 to learn about creatures from other planets, Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster keep many enthusiasts busy searching for proof of life.

These are some of the great unsolved mysteries of our world. Their obscured truths, fertile ground for myth-making.