Episodios

  • Episode #225- What is the Spartan Mirage? (Part I)

    Episode #225- What is the Spartan Mirage? (Part I)
    Apr 8 2025

    The ancient Spartans are one of the most idealized cultures from classical Greece. They have been remembered as unbeatable super-soldiers whose entire society was geared towards war. Groups from across the modern political spectrum have looked to the Peloponnesian city-state as an inspiration and historical example. However, starting in the 1930's historians started to question much of the received wisdom about the Spartans. Some even argued that the popular understanding of the city was deeply influenced by a so-called "Spartan Mirage." Is everything we know about the Spartans little more than a collection of historical myths? Tune-in and find out how the French Revolution, invented traditions, and twins from eggs all play a role in the story.

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    1 h y 26 m
  • OFH Throwback- Episode #72- Did Emperor Hadrian Murder His Teenage Lover?

    OFH Throwback- Episode #72- Did Emperor Hadrian Murder His Teenage Lover?
    Apr 1 2025

    In this throwback episode Sebastian takes you back to the start of Season 4 to explore the historical reputation of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian has been celebrated as one of Rome’s “five good emperors”, but is that reputation actually deserved? Hadrian’s reputation is complicated by the mysterious death of his teenage lover, Antinous. What should we believe about this strange chapter in the life of one of Rome’s most celebrated emperors? Tune-in and find out how radical beards, fantastical walls, and ancient man-love all play a role in the story.

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    1 h y 10 m
  • Episode #224- What's True About Al Capone? (Part III)

    Episode #224- What's True About Al Capone? (Part III)
    Mar 25 2025

    Who brought down Al Capone? Was it Eliot Ness and his storied “Untouchables” or is their story the result of distorted memoire written by washed-up glory-hound? If Eliot Ness didn’t secure a conviction against Al Capone then who did? The pinnacle of Capone’s career in Chicago came after years of bloody gang wars, but his most devastating move against his enemies may have brought on more heat than he could handle. Should Capone be blamed for his own undoing? Tune-in and find out how fake history induced heart attacks, sly judges, and evil banjo players all play a role in the story.

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    1 h y 37 m
  • Episode #223- What's True About Al Capone? (Part II)

    Episode #223- What's True About Al Capone? (Part II)
    Mar 12 2025
    If you get your history from watching gangster movies, then you might be under the impression that Al Capone singlehandedly started Chicago's Beer Wars. That is certainly what is suggested by the 1932 gangster classic Scarface. The truth is considerably more complicated. Chicago's gang wars were messy multi-factional conflicts that can remind you of Japan's Warring States period. Al Capone was right in the middle of this wave of violence, but should he be blamed for it? Tune-in and find out how murderous florists, a guy named "Ragtime Joe", and Al Capone's fake furniture shop 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.
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    1 h y 17 m
  • Episode #222- What's True About Al Capone? (Part I)

    Episode #222- What's True About Al Capone? (Part I)
    Feb 26 2025
    The life of the gangster Al Capone could be understood as a violent expression of the American Dream. A poor kid from Brooklyn, born to immigrant parents, used his wits, fists, and a certain ruthless determination to build an empire. The underworld figure has been the fodder for countless, books and biopics, not to mention inspiring a rogues gallery of fictional crime bosses. As you might expect his life is filled with elaborate legends and colorful myths. Capone was also a savvy manipulator of the news media, who did his best to put his own public relations spin on his life outside the law. How much should we believe about America's best known criminal? Tune-in and find out how Geraldo Rivera's boat, a knocked-out school teacher, and a guy named "snorky" all play a role in the story. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/Fakehistory See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 h y 19 m
  • OFH Throwback- Episode #24- Did Ty Cobb Kill a Guy?

    OFH Throwback- Episode #24- Did Ty Cobb Kill a Guy?
    Feb 19 2025
    In this throwback episode Sebastian take you back to Season One and Episode #24. Ty Cobb has been remembered as one of baseball’s greatest villains. Despite being universally recognized as one of the game’s most talented players, Ty Cobb is mostly remembered as a violent racist who was hated by all who knew him. However, a new biography is claiming that Ty Cobb’s reputation was unfairly tarnished by an unscrupulous biographer looking to make a name for himself by exposing the “real Ty Cobb”. Was Ty Cobb really the monster that so many believe him to be? Tune in and find out how forged letters, pistol whippings, and Tommy Lee Jones 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.
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    57 m
  • Episode #221- Did India's Thugs Really Exist? (Part II)

    Episode #221- Did India's Thugs Really Exist? (Part II)
    Feb 12 2025
    In the early 19th century central India was one of the most dangerous places a person could travel. Murders and robberies were incredibly common. Every year dozens, sometimes hundreds, of bodies were found in shallow graves near the highways. These unfortunate travelers were often the victims of gangs of murderous bandits. But who were these killers? The British authorities came to believe that these highway murders were the work of an India-wide network of cultists known as Thugs. But were the Thugs actually a coherent criminal sub-culture? Were they truly devoted to a religion based on human sacrifice? Or were real bandits being transformed into bloodthirsty fanatics by colonial propaganda? Tune-in and find out how poison milk, thug snitches, and the common enemies of all mankind 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.
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    1 h y 25 m
  • Episode #220- Did India's Thugs Really Exist? (Part I)

    Episode #220- Did India's Thugs Really Exist? (Part I)
    Jan 29 2025
    In 1830 an anonymous letter was published in the Calcutta Literary Gazette warning that India was being threatened by a horrifying cult of murderers. These stranglers were known as Thugs and according to the letter they represented the single greatest threat to law and order in the country. These Thugs apparently worshipped the Hindu goddess Kali and performed their crimes in her name. This letter motivated the British authorities to take immediate action against this group. However, many scholar think that the anonymous author, a British administrator named William Sleeman, may have exaggerated the Thug threat. Some have even argued that the Thugs never truly existed. What should we believe about this storied group of highway robbers? Tune-in and find out how sketchy confessions, Queen Victoria's favorite book, and Indiana Jones 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.
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    1 h y 9 m
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