A slave who represented his masters in courts and negotiations, Aesop relied on allegorical stories featuring animals, which are collected here in the Supplementary Aesop's Fables, to convey his key points. This edition from Penguin Classics is translated from the Greek by Olivia and Robert Temple with an introduction by Robert Temple.

Through a series of elegant, humorous tales, Aesop created a vibrant world of characters to highlight different aspects of human nature. Here we see a cunning fox being outsmarted by a quick cicada, a tortoise triumphing over a proud hare, and a narrator, Aesop, silencing those who mock him. Each treasure-story offers a cautionary tale about the consequences of wickedness, as well as a glimpse into the daily life of the Ancient Greeks.

All of Aesop's stories, filled with humor, wisdom, and sharp wit, along with many fascinating insights into everyday life, have been gathered for the first time in this definitive and fully annotated modern edition.

Little is known for certain about Aesop's life (circa 620-564 B.C.), although details about his life are scattered in the works of ancient Greek writers, including Aristophanes, Xenophon, Aristotle, and Herodotus, suggesting that he was a slave, and Plutarch, who identifies him as an entertaining storyteller who was executed by the Delphians by being thrown off a cliff.

If you enjoyed the Supplementary Aesop's Fables, you might also want to read Ovid's Metamorphoses, which are also available from Penguin Classics.

"Innovative ... this edition of the fables is a revelation ... the translation is outstanding" Peter Jones, Sunday Telegraph

"Aesop remains a foundational figure in Western literature" Frédéric Raphael, Sunday Times

Pages: 288, Dimensions: 13x13cm