Anderson 1
Theodore Rollin Anderson
COL Sheldon
HI-302X-01
Help Received: Col. Sheldon for reviewing draft and making comments/critiquing, Cadet
Mullinax (in same section of class) for asking whether or not I had to cite Wikipedia if not using
it directly but finding links/other sources from there).
12 December 2014
Theodore R. Anderson
Paper III: Aesop
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1
Ancient Standard, “images2/Aesop.jpg”, http://ancientstandard.com/images2/aesop.jpg
Anderson 2
For my final paper I will be discussing the literary figure in ancient Greece known as
Aesop. In my analysis, I will explore the knowledge and history of Aesop as well as the cultural
and societal implications on ancient Greece itself for being associated with him. In essence, I
hope to convey a sense of importance that I believe was reflected within the history behind the
literary figure known as Aesop as well as construct the argument for both Aesop’s relevance and
importance ancient Greece and its society.
Aesop is supposedly a literary figure who was said to have been born in one of many
places during the 6th century: Thrace, Phyrgia, Aethiopia, Samos, Athens and Sardis and is best
known for what have become known today as Aesop’s fables.2 Moreover, Aesop was said to
have been the slave of Samos and was killed by the citizens at Delphi; although the reasons are
said to be unknown by the biographybase.com, it is thought that he was killed for being overly
sarcastic, embezzling money or stealing a silver cup.3 Ultimately, given the uncertain nature of
Aesop and the little information that exists, according to biographybase.com, this has made
“some scholars to deny his existence altogether.”4
Upon looking at ancient sources which I found through the Wikipedia page on Aesop,
there is information from by A.D. Godley’s translation of Herodotus, The Histories, Book II,
chapter 134, verses 3-4, in which we gain a greater insight into the origins of Aesop, which says
the following: “[3] for very many years later than these kings who left the pyramids came
Rhodopis, who was Thracian by birth, and a slave of Iadomon son of Heaphaestopolis the
Aesop Biography, “Biography Base”, http://www.biographybase.com/biography/Aesop.html
Aesop Biography, “Biography Base”, http://www.biographybase.com/biography/Aesop.html
4
Aesop Biography, “Biography Base”, http://www.biographybase.com/biography/Aesop.html
2
3
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Samian, and a fellow-slave of Aesop the story-writer. For he was owned by Iadmon, too, as the
following made crystal clear: [4] when the Delphians, obeying an oracle, issued many
proclamations summoning anyone who wanted it to accept compensation for the killing of
Aesop, no one accepted it except the son of Iadmon’s son, another Iadmon; hence Aesop, too,
was Iadmon’s”.5 Thus, Aesop quite possibly could have been the slave of Iadmon as alluded to
above.6 From both the translation of Herodotus, The Histories, and a Wikipedia entry on Aesop,
we can see that Aesop quite possibly is from Thrace (or disputably from Phyrgia, Aethiopia,
Samos, Athens and Sardis) born in 620 BCE, near the black sea.7 Another ancient source I found
through the Wikipedia page of Aesop is a translated version by J.H. Freese, Aristotle’s Rhetoric,
Book II, chapter 20, verses 7-8 explain why Aesop is important to ancient Greece for his
contributions of fables as a way of employing rhetoric: “[7] Fables are suitable for public
speaking, and they have this advantage that, while it is difficult to find similar things that have
really happened in the past, it is easier to invent fables; for they must be invented, like
comparisons, if a man is capable of seizing the analogy; and this is easy if one studies
philosophy.[8] Thus, while the lessons conveyed by fables are easier to provide, those derived
from facts are more useful for deliberative oratory, because as a rule the future resembles the
past.” 8 Moreover, according to online-literature.com, Aesop is known for evading being
5
An English translation by. A.D. Godley, Herodotus, The Histories, 2.134.3-4,. Cambridge. Harvey University
Press. 1920.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.perseus-eng1:2.134
Aesop, Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesop
6
An English translation by. A.D. Godley, Herodotus, The Histories, 2.134.3-4,. Cambridge. Harvey University
Press. 1920. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.perseus-eng1:2.134
7
An English translation by. A.D. Godley, Herodotus, The Histories, 2.134.3-4,. Cambridge. Harvey University
Press. 1920. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.perseus-eng1:2.134
Aesop, Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesop
8
Translated by J.H. Freese. Aristotle, Rhetoric, 2.20.7-8, Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 22,. Aristotle. Cambridge
and London. Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
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punished due to his astute ability to reason with his captors, “pointing out their ironies and
hypocrisy”.9 In essence, from the quotation above, I believe we can take it from the extent to
which Aesop holds relevance and importance to Greek society. 10 I believe Aesop contributes to
Greek society the idea of fables and how they can be used both in terms of both the translation of
Arisotle’s writings in Rhetoric 2.20.7-8 by J.H. Freese, in order to confront potential arguments
from escalating through a non-violent approach, as we have seen above.11 Moreover, I think that
if ancient Greece was able to employ these ideas of Aesop in terms of fables and morals that
could be taken from them, more broadly, a sense of discourse and rhetoric, perhaps they could
reduce physical altercations and resolve their disputes with foreign nations in a more diplomatic
sense than all-out war. As Aesop was supposedly able to evade punishment through his skilled
use of his fables and astute personality, perhaps too ancient Greece could have learned from his
stories and acted similarly.12 From another part of the translated ancient source by J.H. Freese, in
Aristotle, Rhetoric, book 2, chapter 20, verse 6, we can see an example in which Aesop attempts
to employ his fables to save a wanted man: “[6] Aesop, when defending at Samos a demagogue
who was being tried for his life, related the following anecdote. “A fox, while crossing a river,
was driven into a ravine. Being unable to get out, she was for a long time in sore distress, and a
number of dog-fleas clung to her skin. A hedgehog, wandering about, saw her and, moved with
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0060:book=2:chapter=20&highlight=aesop#not
e-link4
Aesop, Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesop
9
C.D., Merriman, Aesop, Aesop-Biography and Work. http://www.online-literature.com/aesop/
10
Translated by J.H. Freese. Aristotle, Rhetoric, 2.20.7-8, Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 22,. Aristotle. Cambridge
and London. Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0060:book=2:chapter=20&highlight=aesop#not
e-link4
11
C.D., Merriman, Aesop, Aesop-Biography and Work. http://www.online-literature.com/aesop/
Translated by J.H. Freese. Aristotle, Rhetoric, 2.20.7-8, Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 22,. Aristotle. Cambridge and
London. Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0060:book=2:chapter=20&highlight=aesop#not
e-link4
12
C.D., Merriman, Aesop, Aesop-Biography and Work. http://www.online-literature.com/aesop/
Anderson 5
compassion, asked her if he should remove the fleas. The fox refused and when the hedgehog
asked the reason, she answered: ‘They are already full of me and draw little blood; but if you
take them away, others will come that are hungry and will drain what remains to me.’ You in like
manner, O Samians, will suffer no more harm from this man, for he is wealthy; but if you put
him to death, others will come who are poor, who will steal and squander your public funds.”13
From this verse we can see yet again the clever nature of Aesop at work and how he employs
logic to his opponents to help others rather then reverting to an alternative approach, such as
violence.14 However, yet another translation by Harold Edgeworth Butler of Quntilian, Institutio
Oratoria, Book 5, chapter 11, verse 19, tells us how Aesop’s fables are not the true origin of what
we know of fables but rather they are said to have come from Hesiod:
“[19] Again those fables
which, although they did not originate with Aesop (for Hesiod seems to have been the first to
write them), are best known by Aesop's name, are specially attractive to rude and uneducated
minds, which are less suspicious than others in their reception of fictions and, when pleased,
readily agree with the arguments from which their pleasure is derived…”.15 Here we see the
uncertainty behind whether or not Aesop is responsible for the origin of the fable.16
13
Translated by J.H. Freese. Aristotle, Rhetoric, 2.20.6, Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 22,. Aristotle. Cambridge and
London. Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0060:book=2:chapter=20&highlight=aesop#not
e-link4
14
Translated by J.H. Freese. Aristotle, Rhetoric, 2.20.6, Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 22,. Aristotle. Cambridge and
London. Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0060:book=2:chapter=20&highlight=aesop#not
e-link4
15
An English Translation by Harold Edgeworth Butler. Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, 5.11.19. Cambridge.
Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1921.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2007.01.0063:book=5:chapter=11&highlight=aesop#not
e-link17
16
An English Translation by Harold Edgeworth Butler. Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, 5.11.19. Cambridge.
Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1921.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2007.01.0063:book=5:chapter=11&highlight=aesop#not
e-link17
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From what little is seemingly known about the literary figure of Aesop, there is a legend,
which is salient and tells the tale of what is thought to be how Aesop, if he was a slave, earned
his freedom. 17 The story begins with Aesop’s master hosting a feast at which he claims to be
able to drink the sea and if he is unsuccessful he would have to lose all of his wealth. Realizing
that he is incapable of doing so, he calls upon the help of his slave, Aesop, to come up with a
solution so that he won’t have to give up his wealth. Known for being a “resourceful and
inventive” man, Aesop decides to tell the audience and people who have come to watch his
master drink the sea that in order to drink it the water from the rivers and lakes had to be
removed. Given this, no one was able to enforce the stipulations of what Aesop had explained;
his master was able to keep his wealth and did not lose the bet. In exchange, Aesop ended up
getting his freedom.18 Albeit the uncertainty and inconclusive nature of the story perhaps even a
fable itself, hence it being called a legend, I believe that this legend can serve to illustrate a
similar framework that is contained within the fables he wrote. Within the fables of Aesop there
is a consistent ending with a moral and it is not a lengthy story.
19
One other curious
characteristic of Aesop’s literary writings is the idea that Aesop was described as always being
smarter than the master and wiser than the most wise in all of his stories.20
A fable is said to be “a very short story with a moral.” 21. In the webpage written by Linn
Donn on Aesop and His Fables, he illustrates one of Aesop’s fables, The Fox and The Goat:
“Once upon a time, a long time ago, a fox fell down a well. He was stuck there for quite awhile.
Aesop, the ancient Greek writer of Aesop’s fables, “Greek Myths & Greek Mythology”, http://www.greekmythsgreekmythology.com/aesop-greek-aesops-fables/
18
Aesop, the ancient Greek writer of Aesop’s fables, “Greek Myths & Greek Mythology”.
http://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/aesop-greek-aesops-fables/
19
Linn, Donn, “Aesop and His Fables-Ancient Greece for Kids”.
http://greece.mrdonn.org/aesop.html
20
Aesop, the ancient Greek writer of Aesop’s fables, “Greek Myths & Greek Mythology”,
http://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/aesop-greek-aesops-fables/
21
Linn, Donn, “Aesop and His Fables-Ancient Greece for Kids”.
http://greece.mrdonn.org/aesop.html
17
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Finally, a goat wandered by. “What are you doing?” asked the goat curiously. “Stay away,”
snarled the fox. “This is my water.” “That’s not fair,” snapped the goat. “Why should you get all
the water?” Before the fox could say another word, the goat jumped in the well. Quick as a flash,
the fox leaped on the goat’s back and out of the well. He ran happily off, leaving the goat stuck
in the well.”22
The moral of the story here is said to be the following: “Do not always believe
what you hear from someone who is in trouble.”23 Although this is just one example of a fable
that is associated with the literary figure Aesop, there are a plethora of other fables, some of
which include “The Fox and the Crow, the Fox and Sick Lion, The Boy Who Cried Wolf
(perhaps I believe is one of the most common that most of us recognize or had heard when we
were younger), and The Ant and the Grasshopper.”24
Thus, as we can see from this example of
the Fox and the Goat listed above, the fables of Aesop seem to contain the framework a concise
story that ends in a life-lesson. 25 In essence, when we look at the implications and potential
lessons we can take away from Aesop and his fables, it is important to look at what he might
have wanted to share with us and with Ancient Greece. Aesop provides us with a moral in his
fables, but he is said to indirectly satirize human nature by writing his fables with animals rather
than humans so as to most likely detract from the insult toward humans.26 Through comparing
people to animals, such a snake with someone who might be malicious and sleazy, I believe we
can see the apparent cleverness and intelligent use of analogy that was employed by Aesop in an
Linn, Donn, “Aesop and His Fables-Ancient Greece for Kids”.
http://greece.mrdonn.org/aesop.html
23
Linn, Donn, “Aesop and His Fables-Ancient Greece for Kids”.
http://greece.mrdonn.org/aesop.html
24
Linn, Donn, “Aesop and His Fables-Ancient Greece for Kids”.
http://greece.mrdonn.org/aesop.html
25
Linn, Donn, “Aesop and His Fables-Ancient Greece for Kids”.
http://greece.mrdonn.org/aesop.html
26
Aesop, the ancient Greek writer of Aesop’s fables, “Greek Myths & Greek Mythology”,
http://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/aesop-greek-aesops-fables/
22
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attempt to convey to us his morals and critique of human nature.27 Moreover, it is said that the
purpose of a fable was “to expose and ridicule our ills and vices as people and as a society.28
In conclusion, I believe that Aesop represents an important contribution to ancient Greece
(if he really existed) through the meaning behind his fables; fables are short stories that convey a
moral to the reader, and moreover, can be employed to dispute an altercation peacefully rather
than resort to another method that could be more violent.29 This use of fables in my opinion
could have been used within ancient Greek society in order to enhance problems whether they
might have been political, social or religious and Aesop [or Hesiod] provides us with the
supposed origins from which we learn of these fables and what I believe they can teach us.30
Aesop, the ancient Greek writer of Aesop’s fables, “Greek Myths & Greek Mythology”.
http://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/aesop-greek-aesops-fables/
28
Aesop, the ancient Greek writer of Aesop’s fables, “Greek Myths & Greek Mythology”.
http://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/aesop-greek-aesops-fables/
29
Linn, Donn, “Aesop and His Fables-Ancient Greece for Kids”,
http://greece.mrdonn.org/aesop.html
Translated by J.H. Freese. Aristotle, Rhetoric, 2.20.6, Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 22,. Aristotle. Cambridge and
London. Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0060:book=2:chapter=20&highlight=aesop#not
e-link4
An English Translation by Harold Edgeworth Butler. Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, 5.11.19. Cambridge.
Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1921.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2007.01.0063:book=5:chapter=11&highlight=aesop#not
e-link17
30
Translated by J.H. Freese. Aristotle, Rhetoric, 2.20.6, Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 22,. Aristotle. Cambridge and
London. Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0060:book=2:chapter=20&highlight=aesop#not
e-link4
An English Translation by Harold Edgeworth Butler. Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, 5.11.19. Cambridge.
Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1921.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2007.01.0063:book=5:chapter=11&highlight=aesop#not
e-link17
27
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Bibliography
Aesop. (2014, December 10). Retrieved December 12, 2014, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesop
Aesop and Aesop’s Fables. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2014,
from http://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/aesop-greek-aesops-fables/
Aesop Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2014,
from http://www.biographybase.com/biography/Aesop.html
Automatic Bibliography Maker. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2014,
from http://www.bibme.org/
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http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0086.tlg038.perseus-eng1:2.20
Course Syllabus Ancient Greece Fall 2014 from Col. Sheldon
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from http://greece.mrdonn.org/aesop.html
Guidelines for Referencing Papers. (n.d.). Virginia Military Institute -. Retrieved December 12,
2014, from http://www.vmi.edu/Content.aspx?id=14041
“Footnote or Endnote format” handout from Col. Sheldon
Herodotus, with an English translation by A. D. Godley. Cambridge. Harvard University Press.
1920. Retrieved December 12, 2014 from
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.perseuseng1:2.134
Images2/aesop.jpg. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2014,
from http://ancientstandard.com/images2/aesop.jpg
Merriman, C. (2006, January 1). Aesop. Retrieved December 12, 2014, from http://www.onlineliterature.com/aesop/
Microsoft word
Paper III Draft
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“Things to remember” handout from Col. Sheldon
Quintilian. With An English Translation. Harold Edgeworth Butler. Cambridge. Cambridge,
Mass., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1921.
Retrieved December 12, 2014 from
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:latinLit:phi1002.phi0015.perseus-eng1:11