Aesop's Fables

About the Author

Aesop

Aesop is a semi-legendary figure said to have lived in ancient Greece during the 6th century BCE. According to historical accounts, primarily from Herodotus and later biographers, Aesop was born a slave, possibly in Phrygia (modern-day Turkey), and later lived on the island of Samos. His name may be derived from 'Aethiop,' suggesting possible African origins, though ancient sources offer conflicting accounts of his background. Despite his status as a slave, Aesop gained fame for his remarkable storytelling abilities and wisdom, eventually earning his freedom through his talents. The historical Aesop, if he existed, left no written works; instead, his fables were transmitted orally for generations before being written down. The earliest known collection of fables attributed to Aesop was compiled by Demetrius of Phalerum around 300 BCE, several centuries after Aesop's supposed lifetime. According to tradition, Aesop met his death at Delphi, where he was executed after offending the citizens through his criticisms or mockery. Though modern scholars debate whether Aesop was a historical person or a literary construct, his name has become synonymous with the genre of brief, instructive animal tales that convey moral lessons. The collection of stories attributed to him has been continuously expanded, adapted, and reinterpreted throughout history, influencing storytelling traditions across cultures and forming one of the foundational texts of Western literature.