http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,566027,00.html

But it is not only kings and emperors: as far as I can remember most politicians have been hoaxing the world relentlessly. The few exceptions coming to my mind (Abraham Lincoln or German chancellor 1974-82 Helmut Schmidt)  were literally or symbolically done away with by their own fans.

Reading Cyrus II’s cuneiform laws propagated as ancient “bills of right” has been considered worthy of scholarly research and exposés in the press. At the same time other hoaxers are being celebrated as heroes by large masses of people: kings, emperors, political and religious leaders, entertainment and sport celebrities. And it does not matter in the least if their hoaxes have been unveiled and exposed: if you need a hero, you get a hero.