Aesop's Fables

Aesop was born in the year 620 B. C. in Greece. He was born a slave. His first master was Xanthus and his second master was Jadmon. Aesop was granted his freedom by Jadmon. After gaining his freedom Aesop raised his status from slavery to one of high respect. He traveled through many countries.

Aesop became an employee of the monarch Croesus in Sardis. He went on many ambassadorial missions. While on the missions he was often found telling one of his wise fables. One of these missions was the cause of his death. Croesus sent Aesop to Delphi with a large sum of gold to distribute among the citizen. Aesop was provoked by the Delphians and refused to divide the money. He took it back to Sardis. The Delphians accused him of disrespecting the gods. He was executed as a criminal.

Aesop told his stories to many people throughout his life. These stories were retold and passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. The fables were not written down for over 200 years. Each of these fables have a lesson to be told. Many of the fables are a means of political and social criticism. The stories end with a moral to assure the reader understands the message. Over 600 fables are have been collected and written down.