The Mythbusters use the writings of Pliny the Elder as evidence in favour of elephants being afraid of mice.
Pliny the Elder is well known for writing Natural History, the worlds first encyclopaedia. However most of what he wrote was figments of some vivid imaginations.
Most of Pliny's research was done by reading the fantastical claims of others, without actually observing the subjects of study himself.
In the section on elephants, Pliny also wrote that he understood from other sources that elephants value "goodness" honesty and equality, live "good" lives upholding these values, have religion and perform religious ceremonies where they worship celestial bodies and make offerings to them as gods, have sword fights, Morris dance, and regularly swim across the seas to visit other countries, but only after getting formal permission from the elephant King or Governor, on the condition they promise to return to the herd when their wanderlust is satisfied.
Pliny the Elder died trying to get a closer look at Mount Vesuvius during the eruption that destroyed Pompeii.