Deception and fabrication inhered in myth from its origin

Evidence

How does one actually set about distorting history? The best and most ef­ fective method of course is invention, supported by fabrication. One invents events, and if convenient or necessary one fabricates the evidence to support one’s inventions. A fabrication may be personal and deliberate; it may be collective and unconscious. Both kinds can usually be detected by critical historical scholarship. — Bernard Lewis, From Babel to Dragomans, 1834 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: History is distorted chiefly through invention backed by fabricated evidence — Bernard Lewis, From Babel to Dragomans: Interpreting…, 1834; Invention of narrative is how people claim responsibility for unintended history — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 537; Colonial officials ritualistically framed rumor-derived reports as verified facts (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Mythic discourse systematically conceals its own origins and institutional basis #expands (0.88)
• History is distorted chiefly through invention backed by fabricated evidence #expands (0.85) — Bernard Lewis, From Babel to Dragomans, 1834
• Founding myths substitute fabricated narrative for genuine history to serve ruling classes #corroborates (0.85)
• The Baphomet myth originated partly from rigged trials and fake artefacts #exemplifies (0.82) — Robert Irwin, For Lust of Knowing, 270
• History’s task is to detect the ruses and lies that mask power’s origins #expands (0.82) — Michel Foucault, Society Must Be Defended, 89
• Invention of narrative is how people claim responsibility for unintended history #expands (0.80) — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 537
• Colonial officials ritualistically framed rumor-derived reports as verified facts #exemplifies (0.78)