History's greatest fall from fame - the most famous person you've never heard of

For many centuries, one historical figure was the second-most famous person in the old (western) world, but has since been forgotten. Who was it?

Picture credits:

Anubis image by Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nubians image by Charles Wilkinson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sophonisba images by:

Buy tat (merch):

More videos here:

Lindybeige: a channel of archaeology, ancient and medieval warfare, rants, swing dance, travelogues, evolution, and whatever else occurs to me to make.

▼ Follow me...

My website:

Channel page:

[itcheebeard]

Yes! A 45 minute video of Lloyd just waffling about something from history. This is PEAK LindyBeige!

[dameda]

I'm quite familiar with Sophonisba. As an Algerian we get to study the history of ancient Numidia, especially the power struggle between Masinissa and Syphax that she was involved in.

[azdgariarada]

No, I can honestly say I've never before heard of Sophonisba. But after waiting 15 minutes to find out who it is I haven't heard of, I'm now thoroughly invested in hearing about why I should have heard of her.

[GoErikTheRed]

I suspect another factor contributing to Cleopatra being more well known is the fact that even after having watched this video, I could not spell the names of the two guys that Sophonisba married, and certainly never heard of them before this. Julius Caesar on the other hand has to be one of the other contenders for "most famous people ever."

[gandalf]

I had never heard of Sophonisba. In terms of those we've all heard of, I always thought Alexander was the most famous person. Liz 2 fulfilled her role pretty much faultlessly for an incredible amount of time but will she be remembered in 200 years? 2000 years?

[leone.]

I would count Kleopatra as one of the most known historical figures. If you ask people about antiquity (or however it is written in englisch) you'll hear Ceasar, Alexander the great, Cleopatra, Asterix and Obelix and one of those many Roman or greek Philosophers.

[SSB_Its_Me_SB]

I’ve must’ve watched 3/4’s of his videos… these long monologues are the best

[Leo-okuj]

Lindy’s slightly high annoyance to using the exact same name for more than one person is so relatable

[oklibrarian]

What a lovely surprise! Dr. Fears was my senior honors thesis advisor back in the 90s, and I took several of his courses in my undergrad days. "Lectern Casual" is definitely a good description of his teaching style. He passed away about 10 years ago, but I strongly suspect he would have enjoyed your channel.

[EmperorsChildren]

I'm actually a historian and had never heard of Sophonisba before today! And my thesis was on ancient history! Damn Polybios and damn you, Lindybeige!

[dylanjhmorgan]

Can't get over how beige this video is from the outset

[clarencethomas]

I think Jesus is probably the most widely known person on earth. Not in his life time but to this day certainly.

[Ssarevok]

Historical Macedonia included way more than the modern country of North-Macedonia. It also included the parts of modern Greece that are not coincidentally called Macedonia.

[jimlaker]

I don't think you included the original meeting between Syphax, Scipio and Hasdrubal. Both Scipio and Hasdrubal were courting Syphax, and Scipio had arrived on a single ship, while Hasdrubal had arrived with several. Scipio hurried to enter the harbour first and thus come under the host's protection.

During the subsequent dinner including all three, Scipio befriended the other two. Which unnerved Hasdrubal, as if even he, Scipio's major enemy, liked him, Syphax was guaranteed to be lost to Carthage. Thus he secured Syphax by giving him Sophonisba.

[Qba]

Personal motives that Scipio might have had aside, humiliating an ally (just enough to put them in their place, but not enough to turn them against you) sounds like a *very* Roman thing to do...

[gabeist]

Lindy, I'd just like to thank you for getting me into history. You showed me 4 years ago that history can be fun, that you can engage with it in a passionate way, and that it is a dialogue that requires critical thinking. You really are doing the world a public service.

[soopergenyus]

From the lead singer of Jethro Tull to a Youtuber. What a fascinating career!

[raywest]

I think Jesus beats the Queen for fame, as Time is also a factor: The Queen has only been famous since 1952 . . .

[mikedrop]

Lindy: Sophonisba is the subject of the video and admit it, you've never heard of her.
Me: I definitely feel like I have heard of her.
Lindy: Many of you are very good at deluding yourselves so by the end you will say you already knew about her.
Me: Actually, I bet I'm thinking about someone else. Yep I definitely haven't heard of her.

[kajraske]

Every time I hear stories about Carthage I get a twin feeling of "wow this was a really interesting place" and "it feels like somebody (somebodies) spent a *lot* of effort making sure as much information about Carthage was buried as deep as possible."
Like there was a massive, massive effort to make sure nothing remains of Carthage besides "they fucked around with Rome and found out; good riddance."