Do you think that history is a science? Well, not exactly. First, and foremost, history is the state's “legend of wars”, it’s official regalia. Of course, public historians are not interested in scientific truth – quite the opposite. In this respect, any attempt to present a state’s history as altruistic and benevolent as possible is welcomed and encouraged – as opposed to any revisionism attempts that may be more accurate. In this matter, Chinese have surpassed us all – they revised in highly creative manner (but rather shamelessly) the technology already invented by Europeans, a process that resulted in oldest state on the planet. Here is an interesting paradox: ask any sinologist about the Middle Kingdom during second century B.C., and he will describe it to you in such a vivid manner as if he has been living there all his life – but as soon as you will ask him to describe Chinese history in the 19-20th centuries… let's say, his eagerness will be greatly diminished. However, we will discuss China in a different article, and in the meantime we will try to understand how exactly historic “legend of wars” is formed and functions – based on a specific and well-known example. A great example is Ferdinand Magellan's first voyage around the world.

Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Vinicius Jr. (R) held by a Cadiz's defender during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real ​Madrid and Cadiz, in Madrid, Spain, 10 November 2022. (Photo by Juanjo Martin/EPA/EFE)

Dana the dog wears glasses as people watch an annular solar eclipse, in Las Horquetas, Santa Cruz, Argentina, on October 2, 2024. (Photo by Agustin Marcarian/Reuters)

Protesters shout as they hit a pole during ongoing anti-government protests in Beirut, Lebanon on November 19, 2019. (Photo by Andres Martinez Casares/Reuters)

A demonstrator scuffles with riot police during a rally ahead of International Women's Day, in Ankara, Turkey on March 6, 2022. (Photo by Cagla Gurdogan/Reuters)

A group of prospective police recruits, ready to be enrolled in the M23 controlled force, salute in the courtyard of a police station in Goma on February 6, 2025. More than a week after the battle for the North Kivu provincial capital, the M23 on Wednesday appointed people to public positions. Goma now has two officials for many public posts – two mayors, two governors – which locals said has created confusion. The M23 administration is still in its embryonic stages and struggling to respond to daily problems in the war-wounded city. (Photo by Michel Lunanga/AFP Photo)

Lightning strikes above Perch Rock Lighthouse in Merseyside, North West England on August 10, 2020. (Photo by Bav Media/The Sun)

Two young women huddle up in their coats as they brave the cold in Newcastle, England on February 1, 2019. Women in skimpy dresses and men in t-shirts enjoyed a drink and a dance as they celebrated January finally being over. (Photo by Will Walker/North News and Pictures)