History’s Ultimate Backstabs

Friendships, alliances, even family ties—nothing was ever safe in the grand theater of history. One day, you're sharing a meal; the next, you're signing their death warrant. That’s how betrayal triggered revolutions and rewrote entire timelines. So, let’s take a look at 20 of the most devastating betrayals that rocked the world and changed history.

Francesco Alberti on Unsplash

1. Judas Iscariot

One of the most infamous figures in religious history, Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus Christ is as shocking as it is infamous. For almost thirty pieces of silver, he handed Jesus to the Roman soldiers, leading to His crucifixion. This act of betrayal resonates throughout Christian teachings as a symbol of treason.

Museu Nacional de Belas Artes on Wikimedia

2. Marcus Junius Brutus

The story of Brutus’ betrayal of Julius Caesar is literally Shakespearean in its drama. Once a close ally, Brutus became part of the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar in 44 BC, convinced that his former mentor’s death was necessary to save Rome from tyranny.

 Jastrow on Wikimedia 

3. Benedict Arnold

Once a celebrated Revolutionary War hero, Benedict Arnold became infamous when he defected to the British. Feeling overlooked by the American Continental Congress, Arnold schemed to surrender the strategic West Point fort to the British, a betrayal that could have dramatically altered the war’s outcome.

 Anne S. K. Brown Collection at Brown University on Wikimedia 

4. Mir Jafar

In 1757, Mir Jafar betrayed his Nawab, Siraj-ud-Daula, during the Battle of Plassey.

By secretly aligning with the British East India Company, his actions led to the victory of the British, ultimately changing the course of Indian history by paving the way for British colonial rule.

 Wikimedia 

5. Vidkun Quisling

During WWII, Vidkun Quisling, Norway’s Minister-President, collaborated with Nazi Germany, facilitating the German invasion of his own country in 1940. His actions earned him the title "Quisling," which became synonymous with betrayal. Norway never forgot the extent of his treachery.

 Riksarkivet (National Archives of Norway) on Wikimedia 

6. Dona Marina

Born into an indigenous tribe, Dona was given to the Aztecs as a slave but later became an interpreter and advisor to Hernan Cortes. While some label her a traitor for aiding the Spanish in their conquest, others view her actions as a result of her circumstances.

 Wikimedia 

7. Aldrich Ames

In 1985, CIA officer Aldrich Ames began spying for the Soviet Union, betraying his country in a devastating way. His actions compromised dozens of agents, leading to the deaths of several operatives and causing significant harm to American intelligence. Astonishingly, Ames’ betrayal went undetected for nearly a decade.

 staff, Federal Bureau of Investigation on Wikimedia 

8. Julius And Ethel Rosenberg

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were American civilians executed in 1953 for passing important secrets to the Soviet Union. Their betrayal during the Cold War heightened tensions and left a lasting impact on the global balance of power.

Controversy still surrounds their trial and ultimate execution.

 Wikimedia 

9. Kim Philby

Kim Philby, a high-ranking British officer, masterminded one of the most damaging betrayals during the Cold War. For decades, Philby provided the Soviet Union with sensitive information, all the while hiding his true allegiance. His defection to Moscow in 1963 marked the final blow to Britain’s intelligence community.

 Wikimedia 

10. Robert Hanssen

For over 20 years, FBI agent Robert Hanssen secretly sold U.S. intelligence to the Soviet Union and later Russia. This put numerous lives at risk, exposing the extent of the FBI’s vulnerabilities. Lastly, Hanssen's arrest in 2001 revealed the deep scars left by his actions within the intelligence community.

 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Wikimedia 

11. Mata Hari

During WWI, Dutch dancer Mata Hari was accused of spying for Germany. Allegedly using her position as a dancer, she passed military secrets to the enemy. Her controversial execution in 1917 sparked debate over her guilt, but her name endures as a symbol of espionage and betrayal.

 Wikimedia 

12. Harold Cole

Harold Cole’s betrayal during WWII left a lasting mark on the French Resistance. As a British officer, he collaborated with the Nazi Gestapo, giving away the locations of resistance fighters. In the end, his actions led to the capture and death of many.

 Wikimedia 

13. William Joyce (Lord Haw-Haw)

William Joyce, better known as Lord Haw-Haw, broadcast Nazi propaganda to demoralize Britain during WWII.

An American-born Britisher, Joyce’s voice became infamous for spreading fear and supporting the German cause. However, his treasonous broadcasts ended with his capture and execution in 1946.

 Hardy, Bert, No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit on Wikimedia 

14. Klaus Fuchs

Klaus was a German physicist who passed critical secrets to the Soviet Union during and after WWII. It was his espionage that accelerated the Soviet Union’s nuclear weapons program, contributing to the Cold War arms race.

 The National Archives UK on Wikimedia 

15. Robert Ford

In 1882, Robert Ford, a member of Jesse James’ gang, killed the infamous outlaw. Seeking a bounty and a pardon, Ford’s act sparked controversy. While the assassination ended James’ reign, it also marked Ford as a traitor, forever remembered as a man who killed a former friend.

 Wikimedia 

16. John Walker

U.S. Navy officer John Walker sold military secrets to the Soviet Union from 1968 to 1985. He put the safety of the United States and its allies in jeopardy, compromising Navy operations and weakening the country’s defense capabilities.

 US Government on Wikimedia 

17. Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr’s betrayal is most infamous for his duel with Alexander Hamilton in 1804. After killing Hamilton, Burr sought to create an independent empire in the American West, plotting treason against the U.S. government. Burr’s ambitions and subsequent trial for treason marked the end of his political career.

 John Vanderlyn on Wikimedia 

18. The Knights Templar

In 1307, King Philip IV of France betrayed the Knights Templar, which led to their arrest and execution.

Fearing their power and wealth, Philip accused them of heresy, setting in motion one of the most infamous betrayals in medieval history. 

 royalcollection.org.uk on Wikimedia 

19. James Armistead

James Armistead was an enslaved African American who became a double agent during the American Revolution. Under the guise of serving British officers, Armistead gathered major intelligence for the Continental Army, which led to the victory at Yorktown. Although he betrayed the Brits, his contributions were overlooked for years.

 Unknown engraver, based on painting by John B. Martin on Wikimedia 

20. Francisco Pizarro

Imagine meeting an emperor, offering him gold, and then executing him anyway—that's exactly what Francisco Pizarro did in 1532. After capturing Incan emperor Atahualpa, Pizarro demanded a massive ransom, only to betray him and order his execution once the gold was delivered.

 Fernando Villegas Torres, Vínculus Artísticos entre España y Perú on Wikimedia