"Now you see, they were holding the line here, but their left flank was weakening and the Corasian general noticed. Unfortunately, his name is lost to time, but he led his troops over the cliff protecting that side and broke the Natarmenli lines," Milo said, chalk squeaking as he drew a sweeping arc.
Mal would never admit that Ancient History was actually okay; she'd rather die. It was still school so it still sucked, but was the least painful class to attend. At least Milo was interesting and the way he described battles was really informative. When she takes over the mainland, she'll have to thank him for teaching her about tactics.
"Now, this was the deciding battle," Milo continued, drawing a circle around part of the map. "By taking control of this location, they effectively severed the Natarmenlinian supply lines. Only a week later, Natarmenli surrendered, giving Coras control over both sides of the river, and, as a result, all the trade along it. The river was one of the only means of passage through the mountains to reach the coast, and many of the other countries further inland relied on it for their trade. By removing Natarmenli as a contender and competitor in trade, the Corasians did not have to share the wealth and power, allowing them to grow in both, which was their ultimate goal."
"Professor?" a girl asked, raising her hand.
"Eventually, without access to the river, Natarmenli withered away, allowing Coras to claim all the territory of the former country. And, without another alternative, the countries further inland had to pay whatever taxes Coras decided to set on trading and, within a few years, Coras was one of the most powerful and influential countries in the area."
"Professor Milo?"
"It wouldn't last of course. The very mountains that protected them from outsiders actually prevented them from producing large enough quantities of food to support a larger population. The countries further inland didn't have this restriction and could grow much larger than Coras. Eventually they would, and when they did, they didn't want to pay the taxes to transport their wares down the river. So, Coras–"
"Professor!" another student shouted.
Blinking, Milo paused, chalk in hand. "Yes?"
"Selene has a question."
"Ah. Ms. Glen. What's your question?"
"You said that control of the river was their ultimate goal," she said with a frown.
"Yes it was," Milo confirmed, adjusting his glasses.
Mal watched Selene's frown deepen. "But all the history books say that they fought because the demon worshipers and savages from across the river were attacking them. They were trying to protect their people. So why would you say it was for something else?"
Lip curled, Mal folded her arms and sat back. Fucking history books. Gods. People would do anything to make themselves look good. Like that damn book on villains Carlos found. When the others weren't paying attention, she'd looked up Maleficent. And, yeah, her mother was a villain–that was obvious and even if she wasn't, Mal'd still call her evil–but Aurora's parents brought it on themselves. Insulting the most powerful fairy in the area by not inviting her? Of course they got cursed.
Grimhilde was another example. Sure, she was jealous of Snow White, but she'd been a capable queen–evil and twisted and doing things for her own reasons–and her country thrived under her rule. No one ever remembered that part. Still evil, but capable. Mal didn't know or care enough to figure out whether or not the country was still thriving in Snow White's hands.
"An excellent question!" Milo beamed. Facing the chalkboard, he grabbed an eraser, hesitated, then erased the map to draw a three circle venn diagram–godsdamnit she shouldn't know what that's called–and began writing in each. "What's in the history books is mostly based on the propaganda that Coras used for most of its population. However, direct accounts from their nobility and generals, as well as the records kept by Natarmenli, prove that the real reason for the war was, in fact, gaining control over the river. The treaty itself supports this. If you look at–"
"But why lie to its people?" another student interrupted. "Why not just tell them the truth?"
Expression falling, Milo removed his glasses, cleaning them on his vest. "Imagine that you are a normal person. You're not particularly wealthy, but you have a home, a job, family, and a comfortable enough life. Then someday, a noble comes to your town and says 'come fight for me. Those people have something I want because it will make me even wealthier'' would you agree? Would you think that that was a worthy reason to leave, possibly even lose, your life?"
"No."
"No. Very few people are going to risk their lives to add money to the pockets of those who don't need it. Now what if instead you were asked to help defend your family and friends from those who wish to harm them; would you find that a more worthy cause?" The room was silent. "Exactly. In today's day and age, a government can call on its people from lower classes to fight, but it is understood that they have to be paid handsomely for their efforts. Thankfully we are in a very peaceful time. Cooperation is a wonderful thing."
"But then why do history books focus on propaganda when there are sources with the truth available?"
"If you won a war and wiped out your entire opposition and no one could disagree with you, why would you make yourself out to be the bad guy?" Milo pointed out, adjusting his glasses. "Why would you paint yourselves as greedy? History is written by the powerful. By the victors. By the survivors. Remember our first class? We even have examples on our own campus. People with different understandings of the same events."
Several pairs of eyes turned to her before immediately looking away when she felt her eyes flash green. How fucking dare they. She didn't need their pity or understanding. She didn't want it. And if Milo was right then all of them had their own issues too. Which she already knew. They needed to face the fact that they weren't perfect.
"The most important lesson I can teach you is that there is always more than one perspective," Milo continued, once again writing in the diagram, seemingly oblivious to brief tension. "All three of these sources are required to see the truth behind the war." Circling the overlap between all three circles, he continued, "Without one we cannot understand the other. And without understanding one another and our histories, personal and communal, we cannot create a better world for everyone. If we only look through our own lens, we limit our ability to grow and connect. That is the saddest thing I can think of."
…Ben would fucking love this class.