Fact Check: "Catherine the Great had sex with horses."
What We Know
The claim that Catherine the Great, the Russian empress who ruled from 1762 until her death in 1796, engaged in sexual relations with horses is rooted in a long-standing myth. This legend suggests that she died while attempting to have intercourse with a horse, which supposedly resulted in her being crushed by the animal when a truss broke (Snopes). However, historical records indicate that Catherine actually died of natural causes, specifically a cerebral hemorrhage, after being found unconscious in her dressing room on November 5, 1796 (indy100).
During her lifetime, Catherine was the subject of numerous rumors and gossip, particularly regarding her sexual exploits. These included exaggerated claims about her appetites, which were often used to undermine her achievements as a powerful female ruler (Snopes). The origins of the horse myth are unclear, but it is believed to have been propagated by her political rivals, particularly in France, who sought to tarnish her reputation (indy100).
Analysis
The assertion that Catherine the Great had sexual relations with horses is not supported by credible historical evidence. The primary sources that discuss her death and the surrounding rumors, such as those by historians like Professor Simon Dixon, emphasize that the horse myth is a fabrication aimed at discrediting her legacy (indy100). Dixon notes that the circumstances of her death were well-documented, with her physician confirming the cause as a stroke (indy100).
Additionally, the myth appears to be part of a broader pattern where powerful women, such as Catherine, are subjected to derogatory narratives that emphasize sexual impropriety. This aligns with historical trends where women's authority was often challenged through slanderous tales (Snopes). The reliability of sources that propagate such myths is often questionable, as they tend to stem from sensationalist accounts rather than rigorous historical analysis.
Conclusion
The claim that Catherine the Great had sex with horses is False. The origins of this myth are rooted in attempts to undermine her reputation as a capable ruler, and it lacks any credible historical basis. Catherine's actual death was due to natural causes, as confirmed by her contemporaries and historians alike.
Sources
- Was Catherine the Great Killed by a Horse? | Snopes.com
- A historian has debunked the myth about how Catherine the Great died | indy100
- True Story of HBO's Catherine the Great—and That Horse Myth | Time
- Catherine The Great Of Russia, The Story That Separates Fact From Fiction | All That's Interesting
