historical anecdotes that probably happened

The NUTS anecdote from WW2 is the only anecdote I can think of right now that is confirmed to be true, and is still very amusing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_McAuliffe#World_War_II

>>1492262
that's genius

My favorite fake anecdote is the meeting of Diogenes and Alexander.

My favorite one that might be real is Cleopatra being brought before Caesar rolled up in a carpet. It's such a silly yet great idea, I want to believe Plutarch did not just had the idea himself.

>>1492295
i also hope it's true, but i feel like the chances are real slim re: cleopatra

Skylitzes records that Basil completely routed the Bulgarian army and took 15,000 prisoners (14,000 according to Kekaumenos). Modern historians however, such as Vasil Zlatarski, claim that these numbers are exaggerated. The 14th century Bulgarian translation of the Manasses Chronicle numbers the prisoners at 8,000.

Basil divided the prisoners into groups of 100 men, blinded 99 men in each group and left one man in each with one eye so that he could lead the others home;[38] this was done in retaliation for the death of Botaneiates, who was Basil's favourite general and advisor, and also to crush the Bulgarian morale.[39] Another possible reason was that, in Byzantine eyes, the Bulgarians were rebels against their authority, and blinding was the usual punishment meted out to rebels.[40] For this action, Basil gained the nickname Boulgaroktonos (Greek: Βουλγαροkτόνος), "the Bulgar-slayer". Samuel died of a heart attack on October 6, 1014, reportedly due to seeing his soldiers blinded.[41]

>>1492248
>or what are you favorite fake anecdotes?

my favorite is emperor Caligula declaring war on Poseidon and ordering his men to attack the ocean with their pila

>>1492314
absolute madman

Mongols rolling royals in rugs before riding over them with their horses because they didn't like spilling royal blood.

>>1492343
sauce