1. King Arthur

The mythical King Arthur may have ruled Camelot and wielded Excalibur, but historians trace his origins to a real post-Roman British warlord from the 5th to 6th centuries. Though lacking definitive archaeological proof, his name is believed to be derived from the Roman “Artorius.”

2. Robin Hood

While the legendary outlaw of Sherwood Forest sounds fictional, medieval records reveal men named “Robyn Hode” or similar who were criminals or rebels. The earliest literary reference appears in the late 14th-century poem Piers Plowman, with more detailed ballads emerging in the 15th century.

3. Jesus of Nazareth

Scholars widely agree that Jesus was a 1st-century Jewish preacher in Roman-occupied Judea. Roman historian Tacitus and Jewish historian Josephus make non-Biblical references to him. It is believed that Christianity was later founded upon his life and teachings.

4. Helen of Troy

Helen of Troy is immortalized as “the face that launched a thousand ships,” and has its origins dating back to Homeric myth. She is believed to have been the daughter of Zeus and Leda or Nemesis, and a prominent figure in Greek history. Her origin is considered to be more vital than the Trojan Wars.

5. Hercules

Hercules, or Heracles in Greek mythology, is famed for his strength and 12 labors. But his legend may be based on real warrior-kings or strongmen from the Mycenaean era, possibly demigods or princes with exaggerated reputations. There are certain Hercules-linked cult shrines, such as Tiryns and Mycenae.

6. Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama)

Siddhartha Gautama, later revered as Buddha, was born a Shakya prince in the 6th century BCE in present-day Nepal. There is explicit mention of his existence in historical texts and Buddhist canons, detailing his renunciation of wealth to seek enlightenment, which we have read about all this while.

7. Dracula (Vlad the Impaler)

Coming out of the current interpretation of Dracula that we know, its origins are rooted in history. The traceable origins of “Dracula,” specifically referring to Vlad the Impaler, lie with Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, who lived from approximately 1431 to 1476 and was a real historical figure. He became infamous for his cruel methods of punishing enemies and is the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s fictional vampire.

8. Mulan

The origins of Mulan are traceable to the “Ballad of Mulan,” a Chinese folk song believed to have been composed during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–535 AD). However, the story was later recorded in the Song dynasty anthology Yuefu Shiji. Current historians do infer that there might not be actual evidence to confirm Mulan’s real existence.

9. Odysseus

The cunning hero of Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus, is considered partly fictional. Yet, archaeological finds in Ithaca, his supposed homeland, suggest the presence of a Bronze Age king who may have inspired the epic. So, at this point, there seems to be a push and pull when it comes to confirming the existence of Odysseus.

10. Socrates

Whenever there’s mention of Greek philosophy, Socrates is an indispensable part of it. Socrates’ traceable origins are rooted in ancient Athens, Greece, where he was born around 470 or 469 BC to Sophroniscus and Phaenarete, a stoneworker and a midwife, respectively, in the Athenian deme of Alopece.

11. Gilgamesh

The protagonist of the Epic of Gilgamesh is widely accepted to have been a historical king of Uruk, a Sumerian city-state in southern Mesopotamia, who reigned in the early to mid-3rd millennium BCE, roughly between 2900 and 2350 BCE. He also has demi god representations at present.

12. St. Nicholas (Santa Claus)

Before Santa Claus came down chimneys, he was St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century Greek bishop known for generosity. There is documentation of his existence in Christian texts, citing that Nicholas gave away his inheritance to aid the poor, sparking tales of secret gift-giving.

13. Ragnar Lothbrok

There is a great deal of legend and historical debate surrounding the actual traces of Ragnar Lothbrok. Historical Norse sources suggest that he’s a composite of several real raiders, such as Reginherus, who led the 845 siege of Paris, representing the idealized Viking warrior.

14. Confucius

Confucius, whose real name was Kong Qiu, was born in Qufu, in the state of Lu (modern-day Shandong province, China), around 551 BCE, during the late Spring and Autumn period. Historical context suggests that his ancestors likely belonged to an aristocratic family from the Song dynasty.

15. Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc, a peasant girl turned French war heroine, was burned at the stake in 1431. She was reportedly born to parents Jacques d’Arc and Isabelle Romée and grew up during the tumultuous Hundred Years’ War.

16. King Solomon

The Biblical King Solomon, famed for wisdom and wealth, may have had a real counterpart ruling Israel around the 10th century. There are archaeological digs across Jerusalem and Megiddo, which suggest possible confirmation of the legends surrounding King Solomon.

17. Achilles

The mention of Achilles is consistent across Greek mythology, but there seems to be scant evidence in historical context to confirm his existence. He is primarily known as the son of the mortal King Peleus and the sea nymph (Nereid) Thetis, a divine lineage that made him a powerful and near-immortal.

18. Attila the Hun

Attila the Hun’s precise origins are not fully known. Still, the Huns are generally believed to have originated from Central Asia, with many scholars connecting them to the Xiongnu people who existed in East Asia. Also, genetic studies have found a correlation between the Huns and the Xiongnu.

19. Pythagoras

The origin or existence of Pythagoras doesn’t need extensive proof. Known for his work on the Pythagorean theorem, he was a real 6th-century BCE philosopher from Samos, but his cult-like following blurred the reality of his life. He is also the cornerstone of Babylonian mathematics.

20. William Tell

William Tell is a popular Swiss folk hero known for reportedly shooting an apple off his son’s head. 14th-century Swiss uprisings against Habsburg rule likely inspired the legend, and there seem to be very few historical records to confirm his existence.

21. Zoroaster

Zoroaster, the prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism, originated in the eastern regions of Greater Iran, possibly near modern-day Afghanistan or Tajikistan. Zoroaster’s core philosophy has shaped major world religions, which is why he is so revered.

22. King Priam of Troy

Another historical figure with little historical relevance surrounding his existence is King Priam of Troy. He also hails from Homer’s Iliad. There is evidence from Hittite evidence, especially the Manapa-Tarhunta letter dating back to 1295 BCE, which suggests that he was a rebellious lord who seized control of Troy/Wilusa.