Episode #240 - Who Invented the Wild West? (Part I)

Buffalo Bill Cody was one of America's great mythmakers. The man born William Cody reinvented himself as the west's greatest rider, scout, and buffalo hunter before taking his schtick to the American stage in the early 1870's. Buffalo Bill would eventually develop his frontiersman act into the Wild West Show, an outdoor exposition that was part circus, part rodeo, and part historical reenactment. Between 1883 and 1913 the show was seen by millions. "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" helped reinforce popular legends about the American West and essentially invented the "western" entertainment genre. The man behind the show was a liar and hum-bug artist in the vein of P.T Barnum. How did Bill's mythical version of the west affect popular understandings of history? Tune-in and find out how 19th century social media influencers, fake duels, and Buffalo Bill's Buffalo Blob all play a roll in story.  Join us in Greece in 2026! Check out the itinerary and book HERE!Check out the merch at out T-Public store HERE! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode Sebastian takes questions about the recent episodes on Thailand's legendary elephant duels and the seafaring Welsh Prince Madoc. The host does his best to pinpoint the "real" last elephant duel and takes questions from a practicing druid. We also hear from a Welsh listener with some fascinating thoughts about the Madoc episode.Join us in Greece in 2026! Check out the itinerary and book HERE!Check out the merch at out T-Public store HERE! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's a story that in the year 1170 a Prince from Wales, named Madoc, led a group of Welsh colonists over the Atlantic to North America. This group allegedly mingled with the local indigenous people and eventually assimilated into their culture. However, they left behind their language. For centuries it was believed that a lost tribe of welsh-speaking indigenous people lived somewhere in America. Is there anything to the legend of Prince Madoc or is this just a strange case of fake history? Tune-in and find out how penguins, elephants in Virginia, and Welsh utopians all play a role in the story. Join us in Greece in 2026! Check out the itinerary and book HERE!Check out the merch at out T-Public store HERE! 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 pivotal moments in the history of Thailand was the Battle of Nong Sarai in 1593. This confrontation between the Burmese Tuangoo Dynasty and the proto-Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya is remembered as the setting for an epic elephant duel. King Naresuan of Ayutthaya was said to have challenged the Burmese crown prince to single combat on elephant back. His victory that day become symbolic of Thailand's independent spirit. However, there are at least ten different accounts of what actually went down at Nong Sarai in 1593. Each of those sources paint a very different picture of how this confrontation played out. Which sources should we trust? Was this duel actually an elephant sized historical myth? Tune-in and find out how horny elephants, dishonorable gunplay, and damaged hats all play a role in the story. Join us in Greece in 2026! Check out the itinerary and book HERE!Check out the merch at out T-Public store HERE!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Bonus Episode Sebastian takes questions from listeners about the recent episodes on Werewolves and Witches. Sebastian explores the connection between rabies outbreaks and vampire/werewolf mythology. Listeners weigh in on the psychological meaning of the Egyptian god Anubis. We break down some witchy myths associated with English alewives and explore the inspiration for Shakespeare's witches. Tune-in and find out how vampire panics, furry psychopomps, and pointy hats all play a role in the story.Join us in Greece in 2026! Check out the itinerary and book HERE!Check out the merch at out T-Public store HERE!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1487 a scandal prone Dominican inquisitor published one of the most notorious witch-hunting manuals in history. The Malleus Maleficarum, or Hammer of the Witches, argued that Europe was under siege by witches and that these witches were almost exclusively female. The book was one of the first widely available texts that presented witchcraft as a uniquely female evil. By the end of 1500's women had become the main victims of the most outrageous witch-hunts, accounting for 85% of all people who executed as witches. Should the Malleus Maleficarum be blamed for this? Tune-in and find out how alewives, hot demons, and a "witch bull" all play a role in the story.Join us in Greece in 2026! Check out the itinerary and book HERE!Check out the merch at out T-Public store HERE!Go to drinkag1.com/FAKE get a FREE Welcome Kit, including a bottle of Vitamin D and free AG1 Travel Packs, when you first subscribe.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stories about human beings transforming into wolves are as old as literature itself. Even the ancient Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh featured a story of a man becoming a wolf. The Werewolf may be one of our most ancient and historically durable monsters. Could Werewolf stories reflect a distant, if blurry, historical memory? Belief in real werewolves seems to have peaked during the witch-panics of 16th and 17th centuries. How should we understand the people who confessed to being real werewolves? Tune-in and find out how sympathetic wounds, enchanted girdles, and werewolf ointment all play a role in the story. Join OFH in Greece in 2026! Click HERE to explore the itinerary!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode Sebastian answers questions from listeners about the recent series on the Parthenon Marbles. The host tangles with the ethics of repatriation requests from notorious dictators, the role of the Parthenon Marbles in inspiring the Greek Independence movement, and the path towards a true "universal museum." Sebastian also wrangles with the notorious "If I don't do it, somebody else will" argument that is often used to defend Lord Elgin. Tune-in and find out how Saddam Hussein, Dr. John, and a bunch of other history podcasts 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.

The Parthenon Sculptures have been hugely controversial objects from the moment that they arrived in England. The British public has long been split over the morality of keeping these famous works of art in London. In the early 1800's the famous poet Lord Byron went so far as to write angry poems castigating Lord Elgin for defiling Athena's temple. Over the last 200 years the topic of the sculptures has remained a perennial topic of public debate. Where are we at with that debate in 2025? Tune-in and find out how 19th century diss tracks, half a nose, and the "universal museum" all play a role in the story.Come with me to Greece in September 2025! Check out the full itinerary HERERula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fakehistory #rulapodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, are some of the most controversial museum objects in the world. In the early 19th century the Scottish aristocrat Thomas Bruce, the seventh Earl of Elgin, used his position as Ambassador Extraordinary to the Ottoman Empire to gain access to Athens' historic acropolis and remove priceless works of ancient art from the Parthenon. Since that time both the legality and the morality of the acquisition has been the source of controversy. Unfortunately, the debate around the Parthenon sculptures has been clouded by many historical myths and misconceptions. Should the marbles remain in the British Museum, or should they be returned to Athens? Tune-in and find out how a gift of ammunition, an "Old Turk", and lies to Parliament all play a role in the story.Join Sebastian in Greece in 2026! Click HERE for a full itinerary and booking.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.