This rating indicates that the main elements of the claim in question are demonstrably false, but some of the details are demonstrably correct.
Did the Greeks believe that satyrs had the legs and horns of goats during the Classical period?
Modern depictions of satyrs portray a creature that is half-man half-goat, but has that always been the case?
Did those who were about to die salute Caesar?
Gladiators are often portrayed in film and television addressing the Emperor before battle with a salute, inspired by an episode in Suetonius. But scholars question how wide spread this practice actually was.
Were the Titans gigantic?
Did the ancient Greeks believe that the Titans were gigantic? Originally not, but things become complicated when we look at the Hellenistic era and beyond.
Was Cleopatra VII the final Ptolemaic ruler?
Cleopatra VII was the last, official Ptolemaic ruler in Egypt, but did any member of the Ptolemy family rule a kingdom after her?
Was Livia the ultimate evil stepmother?
Livia comes with something of a negative reputation. But was she really such a fiendishly evil power broker?
Did most Roman gladiator fights end in death?
Gladiatorial contests are often depicted as bloody and brutal battles to the death, with only the most valiant fighters allowed to survive. But how true is this?
Did Roman phallic carvings “point” towards brothels?
Phallic imagery is not in short supply at the ancient site of Pompeii, including carved versions under foot. But did they really direct people to the brothel?
Was Julius Caesar the First Emperor of Rome?
It is sometimes claimed that Julius Caesar was the first emperor of Rome. While this was not the case, defining who was the first emperor of Rome is no easy task.
Did Jesus steal Mithras' birthday?
Christmas time often brings with it the claim that early Christians stole the story and date for Jesus’ birth from the cult of Mithras. There is no ancient evidence that confirms this.
Did the Spartans bring their war dead back on their shields?
It is often said that the Spartans returned their war dead back to Sparta on their shields, due in no small part to a famous quote in Plutarch.