A slave who represented his masters in court and negotiations, Aesop relied on allegorical animal stories, collected here in The Complete Fables, to convey his key points. This Penguin Classics edition is translated from the Greek by Olivia and Robert Temple with an introduction by Robert Temple. In a series of pithy, amusing vignettes, Aesop created a vivid cast of characters to demonstrate different aspects of human nature. Here we see a wily fox outwitted by a quick-thinking cicada, a tortoise triumphing over a self-confident hare and a fable-teller named Aesop silencing those who mock him. Each jewel-like fable provides a warning about the consequences of wrongdoing, as well as offering a glimpse into the everyday lives of Ancient Greeks. All Aesop's fables, full of humour, insight and savage wit, as well as many fascinating glimpses of ordinary life, have now been brought together for the first time in this definitive and fully annotated modern edition. Little is known for certain about the life of Aesop (c.620-564 BC), though details of his life are scattered throughout the works of ancient Greek writers including Aristophanes, Xenophon, Aristotle and Herodotus, who give grounds for thinking that he was a slave, and Plutarch, who identifies him as an entertaining storyteller, executed by the Delphians by being thrown off a cliff.

'An ass, clothed in the skin of a lion...' Aesop's animal fables are some of the earliest stories ever told, thought to have been composed by a slave in Greek antiquity and giving glimpses of a world that is harsh, pitiless and yet also eerily familiar. Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions Aesop is believed to have lived in 6th century BC. Aesop's The Complete Fables is available in Penguin Classics.

Living in Ancient Greece in the 5th Century BC, Aesop was said to be a slave and story-teller. His much-loved, enduring fables are revered the world over and remain popular as moral tales for children. With infamous vignettes, such as the race between the hare and the tortoise, the vain jackdaw, and the wolf in sheep's clothing, the themes of the fables remain as fresh today as when they were first told and give an insight into the Ancient Greek world.

Living in Ancient Greece in the 5th Century BC, Aesop was said to be a slave and story-teller. His much-loved, enduring fables are revered the world over and remain popular as moral tales for children. With infamous vignettes, such as the race between the hare and the tortoise, the vain jackdaw, and the wolf in sheep's clothing, the themes of the fables remain as fresh today as when they were first told and give an insight into the Ancient Greek world.

A witty, scatological illustrated version of the world's most celebrated fables, allegedly written by a slave in the 5th century BC. A book for our times: as Gebler notes, Aesop has two subjects – the exercise of power and the experience of the powerless, who endure life and all that it inflicts on them. This retelling of the Fables makes them relevant and richly enjoyable. Gavin Weston's brilliant images complement Gebler's prose. Large and fierce animals kill and butcher weaker creatures; gods play games with the hopes and fears of lesser species, including men and women; and occasionally the weak turn the tables on the strong, exposing their pretensions. This is a stunning new version of a book that was often bowdlerised and used to teach moral lessons to children. Gebler's Aesop is darker and more realistic, and compulsively readable.

"Басни Эзопа" - это уникальный сборник написанных в древние времена текстов, мораль которых до сих пор может научить читателей мудрости. Доподлинно так и не известно, существовал ли Эзоп на самом деле, или за этим именем скрыто два десятка безымянных авторов. Но это не столь важно, поскольку тексты остроумных "Басен Эзопа" послужили основой для многих басен Крылова, Лафонтена и других классиков. Читатель обязательно откроет для себя массу нового, а интересные сюжеты не дадут заскучать! Читайте зарубежную литературу в оригинале!

HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics. ‘It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow.’ Living in Ancient Greece in the 5th Century BC, Aesop was said to be a slave and story-teller. His much-loved, enduring fables are revered the world over and remain popular as moral tales for children. With infamous vignettes, such as the race between the hare and the tortoise, the vain jackdaw, and the wolf in sheep’s clothing, the themes of the fables remain as fresh today as when they were first told and give an insight into the Ancient Greek world.

The original Aesop Fables, introduced by award-winning author Marcus Sedgwick. Over two hundred familiar tales from 'Look Before You Leap' and 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf' to much less familiar tales, each with its own sharply pointed moral. Puffin Classics come with additional end material including author profile, things to think about and do, a glossary, and more.

his timeless collection brings together three hundred of the most enduringly popular of Aesop’s fables in a volume that will delight young and old readers alike. Here are all the age-old favourites - the wily fox, the vain peacock, the predatory cat and the steady tortoise - just as endearingly vivid and relevant now as they were for their very first audience. This elegant Macmillan Collector’s Library edition of Aesops Fables features illustrations by Arthur Rackham, the leading decorative illustrator of the Edwardian period, which have been beautifully and sensitively coloured by Barbara Frith.

his timeless collection brings together three hundred of the most enduringly popular of Aesop’s fables in a volume that will delight young and old readers alike. Here are all the age-old favourites - the wily fox, the vain peacock, the predatory cat and the steady tortoise - just as endearingly vivid and relevant now as they were for their very first audience. This elegant Macmillan Collector’s Library edition of Aesops Fables features illustrations by Arthur Rackham, the leading decorative illustrator of the Edwardian period, which have been beautifully and sensitively coloured by Barbara Frith.

This timeless collection brings together three hundred of the most enduringly popular of Aesop's fables in a volume that will delight young and old readers alike. Here are all the age-old favourites - the wily fox, the vain peacock, the predatory cat and the steady tortoise - just as endearingly vivid and relevant now as they were for their very first audience. Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure. This elegant Macmillan Collector's Library edition of Aesop's Fables features an afterword by publisher and editor Anna South and illustrations by Arthur Rackham.

Aesop's celebrated collection of fables has always been popular with both adults and children. These simple tales embody truths so powerful, the titles of the individual fables - the fox and the grapes, the dog in the manger, the wolf in sheep's clothing and many others - have entered the languages and idioms of most European tongues. This edition is beautifully illustrated in black and white by the great Arthur Rackham, and has an introduction by G.K. Chesterton.

Children's stories are often described as having stood the test of time - but none are more deserving of that accolade than Aesop's Fables, which were first recounted by a slave in Ancient Greece in the sixth century BCE. They have since been retold countless times, as they are rediscovered and reinterpreted for each new generation of children. Over the centuries, the larger-than-life characters in these tales have become part of our common cultural heritage, as idioms and metaphors recognized by people all over the world. Now, thanks to this charming collection, you can discover them for yourself. Among the 150 charming tales in this collection, you will find: • The Hare and the Tortoise • The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse • The Vain Jackdaw and His Borrowed Feathers • The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Each story illustrates an essential moral lesson. This volume includes an introduction by G.K. Chesterton. This is a wonderful gift for children and adults alike, and a book that deserves a place in every home.

A lively retelling of the classic Aesop fable, where greedy Dog is fooled by his own reflection. Specially written for children just beginning to read, with fun puzzles to complete after the story. Developed in consultation with reading specialists from Roehampton University. Retold by Alex Frith.

This exclusive Signet Classic edition contains 203 of Aesops most enduring and popular fables, translated into readable, modern American English and beautifully illustrated with classic woodcuts by the great French artist J. J. Grandville. It is both amazing and wonderful that so much of the richness of our language and our moral education still owes a huge debt to a Greek slave who was executed more than two thousand years ago. Yet "sour grapes," "crying wolf, " "actions speak louder than words," "honesty is the best policy," and literally hundreds of other metaphors, axioms, and ideas that are now woven into the very fabric of Western culture all came from Aesops Fables. An extraordinary storyteller who used cunning foxes, surly dogs, clever mice, fearsome lions, and foolish humans to describe the reality of a harsh world, Aesop created narratives that are appealing, funny, politically astute, and profoundly true. And Aesops truth--often summed up in the pithy "moral of the story"--retains an awesome power to affect us, reaching us through both our intellects and our hearts. Including: "The Fox and the Grapes" "The Ants and the Grasshopper" "The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse" ...and 200 Other Famous Fables Edited and with an Afterword by Jack Zipes With an Introduction by Sam Pickering

This exclusive Signet Classic edition contains 203 of Aesops most enduring and popular fables, translated into readable, modern American English and beautifully illustrated with classic woodcuts by the great French artist J. J. Grandville. It is both amazing and wonderful that so much of the richness of our language and our moral education still owes a huge debt to a Greek slave who was executed more than two thousand years ago. Yet "sour grapes," "crying wolf, " "actions speak louder than words," "honesty is the best policy," and literally hundreds of other metaphors, axioms, and ideas that are now woven into the very fabric of Western culture all came from Aesops Fables. An extraordinary storyteller who used cunning foxes, surly dogs, clever mice, fearsome lions, and foolish humans to describe the reality of a harsh world, Aesop created narratives that are appealing, funny, politically astute, and profoundly true. And Aesops truth--often summed up in the pithy "moral of the story"--retains an awesome power to affect us, reaching us through both our intellects and our hearts. Including: "The Fox and the Grapes" "The Ants and the Grasshopper" "The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse" ...and 200 Other Famous Fables Edited and with an Afterword by Jack Zipes With an Introduction by Sam Pickering