Misunderstood Villains

History often has a tendency to create a black-and-white image of villains and heroes. After all, you know the saying: history is written by the victors. With that in mind, here are 20 cases where the so-called villains really weren’t that bad. Do you agree with these controversial picks?

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1. Nero

Nero has a reputation as a tyrannical and hedonistic emperor, but much of this notoriety was the creation of political enemies. He was, in fact, quite popular with a large segment of the Roman population and cared for the provision of games, construction, and the arts. His rule was far from perfect, but the legends of his monsterhood are mostly false, and there is no evidence that he had anything to do with the burning of Rome.

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2. Edward Snowden

Edward Snowden is sometimes considered a polarizing figure, but many consider him a person of virtue who decided to do what was right in the eyes of the public. Edward Snowden sacrificed a lot to start a global conversation on the sanctity of privacy and individual rights.

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3. Rasputin

Rasputin has long been seen as an evil, mysterious, and sordid figure. In fact, most of this image has been embellished by legend and exaggeration. Rasputin was a peasant mystic who played a minor role as the Tsarina's agent to maintain her son's health. Although his influence on the royal court was genuine, his life and personality were much more mundane, even banal, revealing a man swept up in momentous events.

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4. Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette is remembered by history as a frivolous and uncaring queen. In fact, much of her negative reputation is undeserved. Forced to marry into a foreign court at a young age, she struggled to maintain her efforts in charitable work and small reforms under the pressure of a watchful eye. Although she endured personal tragedy and false accusations, she did care for her family and had an imperfect, but real, desire to do right.

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5. J. Bruce Ismay

J. Bruce Ismay is remembered as a man of sin and selfishness because he survived the sinking of the Titanic. But before saving himself, he helped hundreds of passengers board lifeboats. Ismay only saved his own life after doing all he could to help in a tragic crisis.

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6. Socrates

Socrates is known for being condemned in Athens due to his teachings. But in reality, he inspired people to use their minds, to question and challenge received ideas, and to be wise and virtuous. He influenced many philosophers who followed him. Far from a villain, his commitment to wisdom and truth was unparalleled.

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7. Vlad the Impaler

Vlad the Impaler has become famous as a tyrannical monster, but he was also a patriot determined to keep his country safe from invaders. He did so through many shocking methods, but they reflected the times he lived in. His own people in Wallachia regarded him as a powerful and capable leader, and it is stories written by enemies and others that made him into a villainous legend.

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8. Larry Linville

It may surprise you to know that Larry Linville, while best known for his role as the much-loathed Frank Burns on MASH, was a gentle and considerate man in real life. However, audiences had a hard time separating him from his TV portrayals, and he faced a lot of hate and anger. People would even go as far as to spit on him. Eventually, he quit MASH because of his sensitivity and moral code.

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9. Genghis Khan

Despite his reputation as a ruthless conqueror, Genghis Khan's vision contributed to a more interconnected world. Under his leadership, the Mongol Empire facilitated trade and cultural exchange, enabling the movement of ideas and innovations across regions. His legacy, though multifaceted, involves unifying distant lands and laying the groundwork for global interaction.

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10. Antonio Salieri

Antonio Salieri has become a stock villain in our popular culture, but in reality he was a composer of great gifts who never injured Mozart. He spent a large part of his life teaching and promoting other composers and was a generous patron of the arts. Salieri's real legacy is one of service, artistry, and compassion.

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11. Nelson Mandela

Accused of being a violent figure by those who wanted to protect apartheid, Nelson Mandela displayed remarkable bravery and foresight. By leading with courage, forgiveness, and diplomacy, he was able to end apartheid in South Africa. His dedication to equality and reconciliation continues to make him a universal symbol of heroism and hope.

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12. Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn is often associated with a myriad of scandals, but she was an intelligent and strong-willed woman who overcame significant odds to become queen. With shrewdness and influence, she climbed the ranks and left an indelible mark on the history of England. There was very little she could do when Henry set his eyes to marry her, and far less she could say when he started accusing her of witchcraft and infidelity.

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13. Galileo Galilei

Galileo Galilei was a man the Church tried to bury for daring to defend heliocentrism, but his inquisitive mind and passion for knowledge were extraordinary. He pushed the boundaries of science and reason, challenging old dogmas to broaden humanity's view of the cosmos. His discoveries shaped the modern world of astronomy and physics, cementing his legacy as a timeless hero of reason and inquiry.

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14. John Brown

Too often remembered as a radical or even a madman, John Brown was a principled abolitionist who dedicated his life to ending slavery. His actions at Harper’s Ferry and his unyielding pursuit of justice inspired countless others and helped bring about a new era of freedom. He is even remembered as “a brave and glorious old man” by Frederick Douglass.

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15. Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar was a courageous leader who transformed Rome with innovation and ambition. His reforms, like the Julian calendar and assistance to the commoners, were enduring. He demonstrated care for Rome's stability and growth. Some perceived his increasing power as a threat, but he built the groundwork for an empire with a lasting global impact.

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16. Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was a talented military leader and statesman who left a significant legacy on France and the world. His Napoleonic Code influenced modern law and justice, and his reforms improved education, infrastructure, and administration. Despite his ambition and the resulting wars, his vision for progress and change left a lasting impact on history.

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17. Gary Webb

Widely considered the case of a journalist heroically covering a controversial topic that cost him dearly, Gary Webb was a person who, through his work, attempted to reveal the connection between the CIA and substance dealers. He did not back down in the face of harsh criticism and negative response to his articles and endeavored to continue to get to the truth and hold the appropriate parties responsible.

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18. Dong Zhuo

Dong Zhuo was a notorious warlord in Chinese history, but his image may not be as black and white as it seems. He seized power and trampled many officials during a period of political instability, but he also tried to restore order and reduce chaos in the Han Dynasty. Unfortunately, most of his history was written by his enemies.

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19. William Bligh

William Bligh has had a rough time in the history books; remembered most for the mutiny aboard his ship, the HMS Bounty, there's another side to his story which attests to his bravery and competence. He and a group of loyal men were set adrift in the middle of the ocean and had to sail thousands of miles to safety, saving nearly everyone's lives in the process. The fact that they did this shows an amazing level of seamanship, as well as an astounding tale of courage.

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20. Benedict Arnold

Benedict Arnold will always be known as a traitor to America, but before he made the choice to surrender West Point to the British, he was a brave and talented leader. He was one of the commanders of the Patriots, and his acts during the Revolutionary War led to some of the most important victories of the war.

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