History...
History is made of two parts... facts and interpretations. Facts are absolute... interpretations sometimes, most times, obscure the truth about the facts... influence by beliefs. Beliefs are regarded as truth, verses fact, simply because someone says its true.
Natural history... much is known, and it is continually evolving as more & more scientific facts come to life. Over time, historical facts tainted with beliefs, assumptions, and conjecture, are changed as new evidence comes to light. What we thought we knew is constantly changing. But even change is sometimes resisted by the scientific powers to be that hold past established beliefs as being the absolute truth, and condemn anything that goes against those beliefs.
History of societies is much more subjective. History in part is written based on some facts, but greatly influenced by interpretation and beliefs.
Religion fought with beliefs verses facts, has historically influenced how history is interpreted and written, which to say the least is greatly slanted and prone to agendas, most times blatantly ignoring facts... and is written as truth. Truth being man's interpretation of the facts, distorting actual history to its own agenda.
History as written by governments or the powers of any society, write history based on their interpretation of the facts, justifying their actions as being righteous in their eyes. The winner of any conflict or war writes history to soot themselves. To the victor goes the spoils, and thus the written account of history. The old saying that there is a grain of truth in every belief is a testament to the ability of mankind's nature to interpret history as they see fit.
So... how much of written history is actually factual and how much of interpretations of history are actually accurate? About the only thing you can do is question everything... separating facts from believed truths and interpretations.
Factual history and the justification of actions and events pertaining to that history is part if mankind's nature to write history to his own agenda. Religious wars or persecution has always justified its actions, no matter how morally apprehensive. Same is true of governments. What the modern day U.S. government condemns of events around the world today, did itself perpetrate these same atrocities on the native american populations 200 years ago. Same is true of most governments and countries throughout mankind's history.
History... not always what you have been taught. Even if it was written in stone.
