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.

The Soulton Long Barrow in Shropshire, UK on January 5, 2025. The main chamber is aligned so that at winter solstice and for a few weeks after, the sun sets directly through the stained glass door, resulting in a beautifuil rainbow of light to flood through the chamber. (Photo by Andrew Fusek Peters/South West News Service)

A view of popular train street in the old quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam on July 30, 2022. Hanoi Train Street is one of the most well-known and exciting tourist destinations in the city and trains pass the street twice a day close to buildings on either side of the tracks. (Photo by Chris Humphrey/Anadolu Agency via AFP Photo)

Model Alessandra Ambrosio poses for photographers during the red carpet for the movie “Spotlight” at the 72nd Venice Film Festival in northern Italy, September 3, 2015. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

A woman rides a mechanical bull while tailgating before a college football game between the Arizona Wildcats and West Virginia Mountaineers at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona on October 26, 2024. (Photo by Ernesto Benavides/AFP Photo)

A worker disinfects a mosque for coronavirus, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Thursday, April 2, 2020. The government imposed a nationwide lockdown to try to contain the outbreak of the virus. (Photo by Muhammad Sajjad/AP Photo)

Miguel Oliveira of Portugal and Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP crashing during the 2025 MotoGP Michelin Grand Prix of France at Circuit Bugatti on May 11, 2025 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

People are silhouetted while riding the Atmosfear double swing, which lifts riders more than 66 meters into the air while spinning at up to 70 km/h, at the Pacific National Exhibition at sunset in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. (Photo by Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP Photo)