Aesop

Justin David Strong (MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society in Oslo)

Ed. by Mali Skotheim, Ashoka University
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.1.1: Greek Writing and Culture: Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Imperial, -800--100.
Vol. editors: Jonathan Burgess (University of Toronto), Anca Dan (École Practique de Hautes Études PSL), Martine Diepenbroek (University of Johannesburg), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Victoria Fendel (University of Oxford), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Vaios Liapis (Open University of Cyprus), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Mali Skotheim (Ashoka University), Laura Swift (The Open University), Guendalina Daniela Maria Taietti (University of Liverpool)

Dates

Born c. -600
Died c. -500
Activity c. -580-c. -500

Places

Born in Ancient Greece
Active in Ancient Greece

Genres and Modes

Fable

Activities

Primary

Moralist
Story-writer

Resources

Aesop's Works

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Aesop, alongside Homer and Plato, is a figure from the classical tradition who endures as a household name. Known today for his association with the fable genre, a rich tradition about him was widespread in antiquity. Aesop, the historical figure, would have lived during the Archaic Period of Greece, in the sixth century BCE. Although his biography accrued immense legendary embellishment over the centuries, our limited evidence provides a modicum of support for a historical figure standing behind it.

The Earliest Aesop Traditions

The Earliest Aesop Traditions

Our earliest information about Aesop appears in the fifth century BCE through art, and historical and poetic writings. In the literary record, Aesop appears in the first Greek historical narrative. In Herodotus’ Histories (ca. 430

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4200 words

Citation: Strong, Justin David. "Aesop". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 03 October 2023 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=41, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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