A True Story

A True Story is a book by Lucian of Samosata, first published in the 2nd century AD. Often regarded as one of the earliest works of satirical fiction and a precursor to science fiction, this imaginative prose narrative follows a band of travellers who sail beyond the known world and encounter extraordinary lands, strange creatures, and fantastical civilizations.

Blending parody, adventure, and sharp literary satire, Lucian’s narrative sends its voyagers to the Moon, into the belly of a giant sea creature, and to islands inhabited by unusual beings. Written as a playful response to exaggerated travel tales and mythological histories of the ancient world, the work openly declares itself a fabrication, using irony and absurdity to critique earlier authors who presented fiction as fact. Its inventive scenarios and cosmic journeys have led many scholars to identify it as an early example of ancient science fiction.

Lucian of Samosata, a Syrian-born Greek writer known for his wit and rhetorical skill, employs clear prose and pointed humour to explore themes of truth, storytelling, and human credulity. Readers interested in classical literature, Greek satire, mythological fantasy, and the origins of speculative fiction will find enduring relevance in A True Story.

This is a translation by Francis Hickes.