The life stories of leaders are very fascinating, especially for historians and those interested in history. Although we know the lives of many leaders, you will also learn extraordinary details while discovering how their lives shaped human history behind the scenes.
From their physical features to their phobias, here are the unknown aspects of historical leaders:
Alexander the Great, who is considered the “most successful commander” by many historians
Although Alexander the Great appeared tall in photographs, he was actually a bit short by Macedonian standards. Alexander, whose war tactics were taught as a course in many academies; He also took philosophy, medicine, religion and ethics lessons from Aristotle.
While it is said that Alexander the Great showed signs of megalomania and paranoia, another surprising claim is that he had sexual intercourse with his general and bodyguard Hephaestion. Let us note that the source of this claim comes from letters attributed to Diogenes of Sinope.
After the wars in which he was injured, Alexander massacred the people in the war zone, had three wives, and constantly fed onions to his soldiers to keep them in shape; Did you know that he also has hobbies such as theater, flute, poetry and hunting?
Even if we give Caesar what is due to Caesar, we can talk about the allegations against him.
Caesar, who never lost a war like Alexander the Great, was someone who did not forgive the wrongs done to him. So much so that Caesar, who was kidnapped by pirates and then escaped, had them all captured and executed.
Caesar, who could not marry Cleopatra due to the rule that only Roman citizens could marry each other, continued their relationship for 14 years. Although there are many claims that he had a relationship with a man of the same sex, there is actually nothing to prove this. Also, when we think of Caesar, most of us imagine him with his crown. The reason she wore a crown was to hide her hair loss.
Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, whose death was celebrated by the Pope
Fatih Sultan Mehmet, whose death continues to be debated even today, died due to “gout” according to some historians. Many local and foreign researchers and historians argue that he was poisoned.
It is also reported that his pain increased in the tent set up in Hünkar Meadow for the Eastern Expedition, and the doctors took blood from his foot, and as his pain increased even more, he died by vomiting blood due to a special medicine. The reason for the poisoning allegations is based on this.
Among the not-so-known characteristics of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror is that he was a poet. It is also known that he paid nearly 30 poets. Not much known about Fatih Sultan Mehmet is that he prepared a code of law before Suleiman the Magnificent, and that he released 40 thousand prisoners to celebrate the victory after defeating Uzun Hasan in the Battle of Otlukbeli.
Other details that not everyone knows include that the Pope let the bells ring for three days after the death of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, that Christians considered the fall of Constantinople as the “end of the world” and that they saw Mehmet the Conqueror as the Antichrist.
Sultan Suleiman, the longest-reigning Ottoman Sultan
Although Sultan Suleiman, known as the fairest of the sultans, was referred to as “Kanuni” within the borders of the empire, he did not actually make a law from scratch, but compiled the ones made before him.
Although the story of Sultan Suleiman, who ascended to the throne at the age of 25, has been the subject of TV series, some details may not have been remembered. While one of the characteristics that makes Sultan Suleiman stand out is that he personally led the 25 expeditions he participated in in 30 years, he is also the sultan who remained in power for the longest time with 46 years.
Charles V, who owned half the world but wanted to take the other half from Suleiman the Magnificent
Although the phrase “the empire on which the sun never sets” is used for the British Empire, it was actually the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V who received this title. The details between the lines are that Charles V not only led the complete occupation of America, known as the “New World”, but also witnessed the emergence of Protestantism during his rule.
Charles V’s mother, Juanna of Castile, is the daughter of the main architects of the recapture of Spain from Muslims. Another piece of information that not everyone knows is that Juanna is mentally ill. Like many members of the Habsburg Dynasty, Charles V’s chin was longer than normal. Moreover, although Charles V suffered greatly from epilepsy, he died of malaria.
Elizabeth I, who made England a superpower
One of the things that comes to mind when Elizabeth I is mentioned is that she was ruthless towards her enemies. So much so that, after executing the men who conspired against him, he would have their pieces placed at the city entrances as an example.
Elizabeth I, who covered the scars on her face with white foundation due to smallpox, also lost a few teeth due to her addiction to sweets.
Elizabeth I also had many connections with the Ottoman Empire. Just as they asked for help from the Ottoman Empire to defeat the Spanish, they also sent cosmetic products to each other by corresponding with Safiye Sultan. While the brother-in-law of Elizabeth I’s doctor was working in the Ottoman palace, some important minerals that the Ottoman Empire could not obtain due to the blockade of Catholic Europe were obtained from Elizabeth I’s England.
Tsar Peter the Great, who taxed even hair and beard
Peter the Great, who modernized the Russian alphabet, also introduced the Julian calendar. While the first Russian newspaper was published during his time, Peter the Great did not even show mercy to his son who rebelled against his practices.
While it is among the details that no one knows that Peter the Great even learned to pull teeth while he was in the Netherlands, some sources state that St. No more than 10 thousand to 100 thousand people died during the construction of St. Petersburg.
Tall, strong and powerful, Peter the Great was very fond of drinking and pranks. Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the fans of Peter the Great, who taxed those who grew beards because he thought they represented ancient Russia.
America’s first president, George Washington
George Washington became a role model in the institutionalization of American democracy by rejecting the idea that he should be declared king, which was put forward after he was elected president. The first and last American president to personally fight on the front as an army commander was George Washington. His wife, Martha Washington, spent almost the entire War of Independence on the front lines with her husband.
Some of George Washington’s teeth were false. Although there are rumors that the false teeth were made of wood, their teeth were made of animal teeth or were purchased from freed slaves.
George Washington, who never went to school, took lessons from only a few private teachers. George Washington was a very good athlete and horseman. He was one of the country’s leading liquor and whiskey producers. He grew marijuana on his land and was the first farmer to use mules.
Among George Washington’s firsts is the shortest presidential inauguration speech in American history. He broke new ground by taking the oath in just 133 words. One of George Washington’s characteristics is that he was the first freemason to become president.
Finally, although it is widely known that George Washington wore a wig, he never wore one.
Vladimir Lenin, the first great but bloody revolutionary
There are many rumors about the death of Vladimir Lenin, the first communist leader to be mummified. While some Russian historians think that he was poisoned and killed by Stalin, who had him embalmed and exhibited in Red Square, some say that he did not have syphilis as thought and that he died of stress or hereditary causes.
Before going to sleep at night, Lenin would read a book for hours, standing under the lamp, and would never move while doing this. Lenin never smoked and would never allow people to smoke around him. He also learned to write with his left hand after suffering a stroke.
Lenin’s brain, removed from his mummified body, continues to be preserved in Moscow today. According to the survey of the Russian Public Opinion Fund, more than 50 percent of the Russian people now want him to be buried.
Stalin, also known as the little father of the nation and the shorty
Of course, he got these names because of his short stature. While Stalin was one of the most hated men in the world in 1940, he was suddenly declared a saint for his fight against Hitler. His real name was Losif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili. Stalin, who was Georgian, started using his name, which means “Man of Steel” in Russian, after 1910.
As a result of an accident he had in a horse carriage at the age of two, Stalin’s left arm was left shorter than the other. That’s why he wasn’t drafted into the Russian army. He also had scars on his face due to the smallpox he had as a child. These marks were retouched in Stalin’s official photographs.
Stalin, who went down in history as a cruel dictator with many decisions he made, as well as giving the order that children over the age of 12 could be killed as traitors, during World War II. He was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending World War II. He was also named “Man of the Year” by TIME magazine in 1939 and 1942.
Che Guevara, one of the controversial figures of history
There was no in-between for Che, who was either loved or completely hated. While some thought he was a ruthless murderer, others declared him a heroic revolutionary. Although Che was known as a gun-toting punk and a cigar-filled revolutionary, he was an anti-social person in his youth.
Although there was speculation, he was a doctor. After completing his education, he gave a lot of thought to leprosy.
Che, the son of a family of Irish origin, never became a Cuban citizen even though he fought for Cuba. After his execution, both of Che’s hands were cut off and sent to the Buenos Aires police for identification, and then he was sent back to Cuba. When he was captured and killed in Bolivia, care was taken not to leave any wounds on his face so that his death would be shown to the whole world.
Adolf Hitler who turned the world upside down
Austrian-born Adolf Hitler never visited the concentration camps where the massacres took place, nor did he ever speak about the genocide.
Volkswagen’s Beetle model was specifically shaped according to Hitler’s recommendations. However, Hitler never learned to drive.
Hitler had a gas problem and was biting his nails. He also suffered from insomnia. Apple cake, hot chocolate and chocolate were her passion. He would never have his beard cut by anyone else. Hitler was also a vegetarian. Although he took long walks, Hitler was never interested in sports. His hatred of cologne and cigarettes are among his other less well-known characteristics.
So, what else do you know that we haven’t written yet?
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