He is undoubtedly the most famous fabulist of the Western world. Though details about his life are various and contradictory, there are a number of reputable sources that mention him. The collection of these details coupled with a bit of conjecture is what you're likely to find in a Life of Aesop book.
He was likely born sometime in the vicinity of 620 BCE. He probably died between 50 and 60 years later. Nobody really knows where he was born. Several places are mentioned by different ancient authorities. Some say he was born in Thrace on the Black Sea coast, while others mention Phrygia. Still others say that he was a black African and born in Ethiopia.
His fables often involve animals that are not native to Greece. They are more consistent with African fauna. This and a likely etymological confusion about his name have led many to believe that he was from Ethiopia.
Though Hesiod was probably the first Greek to write fables, he is not the most famous. Hundreds of fables are attributed to Aesop and a rich mythos about him grew around his legend. This mythos often depicts him as a slave tricking his masters and gaining his freedom.
In particular a series of books about him known as his Romance, depicts him as a heroic, but ugly slave. This slave gains his freedom and becomes an emissary between the Samian people and King Croesus. This tradition continued and spawned many books.
Though the facts of his death are uncertain, a number of sources say that he was in Delphi on a diplomatic mission from Lydia. He tells a series of fables that insult the Delphinians who then bring him to trial under a trumped up charge. He is sentenced to death. It is said that he was tossed over a cliff. However, other stories say that he threw himself over a cliff to deny them the satisfaction. Either way, any Life of Aesop book is likely to be entertaining. Life of Aesop Book
He was likely born sometime in the vicinity of 620 BCE. He probably died between 50 and 60 years later. Nobody really knows where he was born. Several places are mentioned by different ancient authorities. Some say he was born in Thrace on the Black Sea coast, while others mention Phrygia. Still others say that he was a black African and born in Ethiopia.
His fables often involve animals that are not native to Greece. They are more consistent with African fauna. This and a likely etymological confusion about his name have led many to believe that he was from Ethiopia.
Though Hesiod was probably the first Greek to write fables, he is not the most famous. Hundreds of fables are attributed to Aesop and a rich mythos about him grew around his legend. This mythos often depicts him as a slave tricking his masters and gaining his freedom.
In particular a series of books about him known as his Romance, depicts him as a heroic, but ugly slave. This slave gains his freedom and becomes an emissary between the Samian people and King Croesus. This tradition continued and spawned many books.
Though the facts of his death are uncertain, a number of sources say that he was in Delphi on a diplomatic mission from Lydia. He tells a series of fables that insult the Delphinians who then bring him to trial under a trumped up charge. He is sentenced to death. It is said that he was tossed over a cliff. However, other stories say that he threw himself over a cliff to deny them the satisfaction. Either way, any Life of Aesop book is likely to be entertaining. Life of Aesop Book
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