Political Folklore: Exploring the Stories that Shape Nations

Romulus and Remus are the twin brothers who, according to legend, founded Rome in 753 BC.

King Arthur is a legendary figure who is said to have ruled England during the 5th century. He is associated with the Knights of the Round Table and the quest for the Holy Grail.

Yu the Great is a legendary figure in Chinese mythology who is credited with controlling the Great Flood and establishing the Xia dynasty.

Coyote is a trickster figure who appears in many Native American legends. In one story, he steals fire from the gods and brings it to the people.

Mansa Musa was the ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century. He is known for his wealth and his pilgrimage to Mecca, during which he distributed so much gold that it caused the price of gold to fall.

Manco Capac is the legendary founder of the Inca Empire. He is said to have emerged from Lake Titicaca with his sister and wife, Mama Ocllo, and to have founded the city of Cusco.

Theseus is a legendary Greek hero who is known for his many adventures, including slaying the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature.

Jimmu Tenno is the legendary founder of the Japanese imperial line. He is said to have ascended to the throne in 660 BC.

Prometheus is a Greek Titan who is known for his many gifts to humanity, including fire.

Quetzalcoatl is a feathered serpent god who is associated with the founding of the Aztec Empire. He is said to have returned to Mexico in the form of Hernán Cortés.

Cadmus is a Phoenician hero who is said to have founded the city of Thebes. He is also known for killing the dragon that was terrorizing the kingdom.

Cyrus the Great is the founder of the Persian Empire. He is known for his military conquests and his administrative reforms.

Orpheus is a Greek musician and poet who is said to have sailed to the underworld and returned. He is known for his beautiful music and his love for his wife, Eurydice.

Osman I is the founder of the Ottoman Empire. He is known for his military conquests and his administrative reforms.

Romulus and Remus are the twin brothers who, according to legend, founded Rome in 753 BC. They were raised by wolves after being abandoned by their mother.