- Whats a spy without an eye patch?
From Nathan Hale to Mata Hari, spies have often meant the difference between victory and defeat in war and politics. Here are a few spies which shaped (or nearly shaped) the course of history!
Empress Wu Zetian
While not technically a spy herself, Empress Wu Zetian was the first and only Empress of China. A paranoid ruler, the Empress created a frightening and effective secret police force to spy on her rivals. As the head of the secret police force, she was something of a spymaster and this trait is part of what kept her in power.
The Unknown Liberator
The Liberatores are well-known for forming a conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar. But what is little known is that one of the Liberatores was actually a double-agent, who warned Marc Antony about the plot to kill Caesar. History does not record his identity, but we do know that his warning arrived too late. Caesar was killed and Rome was plunged into civil war. Had the unknown defector’s warning arrived sooner, its possible that the entire course of Roman history would have been changed!
Sir Francis Walsingham
Another famous spymaster, Sir Walsingham planned and conducted a variety of espionage activities under the rule of England’s Queen Elizabeth I. Walsingham conducted both foreign espionage against rival power Spain, as well as domestic espionage, including exposing Mary, Queen of Scotts, for treason! His legacy of secretive loyalty to the crown was carried on to modern intelligence organizations.
What are you favorite spies of history? Tell us here, or check out our forum post!
