History Myths Exploded: How Some of the History’s Biggest Ideas are Wrong

Why do historical myths endure?

In this provocative audio course, you’ll travel through time with history and medieval literature experts to learn why the truth about past events is so elusive. Your journey will be helmed by two award-winning scholars: acclaimed literature and mythology professor Christopher Fee and historian Jeffrey Webb.

In engaging discussions, Profs. Fee and Webb explore what myth-makers stand to gain by their willingness to set aside matters of historical accuracy. They note that although most of us recognize the value of good history, we often find truthful accounts of the past, frankly, less than inspiring. What really excites us is a tale well told; perhaps we’ve come to accept that we should never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Over the course of 14 lectures, Profs. Fee and Webb explore the relationship between myth and history, surveying the boundary line between legend and fact. Following a timeline that begins in Ancient Greece and ends in 1960s America, they affirm myth’s enduring appeal and cultural importance while also highlighting its implicit hazards. Ultimately, they show that disentangling myth from history teaches us valuable lessons about our common humanity.

After taking this course, you’ll never look at the past the same way again. As you explode some of history’s biggest myths, you’ll discover how both fact and fiction convey eternal truths.

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