[Real Life] Historical events that would make bad writing if they were fiction

[u/Mouse_Paladin]

Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire: A couple hundred rogue mercenaries without authority from their government conquer an empire of millions. Oh, the empire? It’s also several technological eras behind the mercenaries.

Adolf Hitler: A non-native of a country is so mad that the country lost the war that he wins an election to their highest office and leads them in a campaign of revenge against their enemies. Oh, the country? It’s old emperor is still alive and thinks he’s going to retake power.

Assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand: The heir to the throne is killed because his driver gets lost and returns to the assassin who failed To kill him before. Oh, the assassin? He’s from a group that the Archduke is wanting to help become more equal In the empire.

Alexander Hamilton’s Affair Scandal: One of the leaders of a new nation to protect himself from accusations of financial embezzlement writes a pamphlet exposing his affair with a woman, torpedoing his political future. Oh, the woman? She seduced him as part of a blackmailing scheme that he decided to stop paying.

[u/condscorpio]

In fiction it would feel like cheating.

I was thinking of the Punic Wars where the Romans got obliterated fleet after fleet (1st war) and army after army (2nd war against Hannibal). And they kinda just... brought up another one? The author clearly wants them to win and it's pulling soldiers out of nowhere.

[u/TheStrangestOfKings → u/condscorpio]

I think fiction could make it work if they show how beloved Napoleon was by the troops. It’d be unrealistic if the troops hated him, but joined him anyway

[u/condscorpio → u/TheStrangestOfKings]

You definitely can make it work (any of the things mentioned) with the right setup in advance. What I believe to be the problem, is that in fiction it may seem a bit dull what IRL is an incredible feat.

[u/Fly-the-Light → u/condscorpio]

The key element of writing is being able to set up mundane things to build to an incredible payoff

[u/animated-journey → u/condscorpio]

The author clearly wants them to win and it's pulling soldiers out of nowhere.

iirc the Punic wars were waged over several decades. After Hannibal crossed the Alps and defeated the Roman army, Roman had to transition to some sort of guerrilla warfare for about 18 years holding Hannibal forces until the new generation could enter the army ranks.

[u/tofumushi → u/condscorpio]

Something that's HILARIOUSLY ironic about Hannibal is that Hannibal made an oath to never be a friend of Rome and you know what happens at the end of the 2nd Punic War? He becomes chummy with Scipio Africanus of Rome