Aesop
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+ | '''Aesop''' (also spelled '''Æsop''', from the [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] ''{{polytonic|Αἴσωπος}}'' — ''Aisōpos''), known only for the genre of [[fable]]s ascribed to him, was by tradition a [[Slavery in Ancient Greece|slave]] (''δούλος'') in the mid–[[6th century BC|sixth century BC]] in [[ancient Greece]]. The various collections that go under the rubric "[[Aesop's Fables]]" are still taught as moral lessons and used as subjects for various entertainments, especially children's plays and [[cartoon]]s. Most of what are known as Aesopic fables is a compilation of tales from various sources, many of which originated with authors who lived long before Aesop. The roots of fables go back all the way to [[India]], where they were associated with Kasyapa, a mystical sage, and they were subsequently adopted by the early Buddhists. Nearly three hundred years later, some of these fables made their way to [[Alexandria]]. This collection introduced the use of the moral to sum up the teaching of a fable, which is similar to the “gatha” of the Jatakas. Aesop himself is said to have composed many fables, which were passed down by oral tradition. Socrates was thought to have spent his time turning Aesop’s fables into verse while he was in prison. Demetrius Phalereus, another Greek philosopher, made the first collection of these fables around [[300 BC]]. This was later translated into [[Latin]] by [[Phaedrus]], a slave himself, around [[25 BC]]. The fables from these two collections were soon brought together and were eventually retranslated into Greek by Babrius around A.D. 230. Many additional fables were included, and the collection was in turn translated to Arabic and Hebrew, further enriched by additional fables from these cultures. | ||
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou-P16a8o7w 'Gypped in Egypt' - (1930) Van Beuren Aesop's Fables] | [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou-P16a8o7w 'Gypped in Egypt' - (1930) Van Beuren Aesop's Fables] | ||
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Aesop (also spelled Æsop, from the Greek Template:Polytonic — Aisōpos), known only for the genre of fables ascribed to him, was by tradition a slave (δούλος) in the mid–sixth century BC in ancient Greece. The various collections that go under the rubric "Aesop's Fables" are still taught as moral lessons and used as subjects for various entertainments, especially children's plays and cartoons. Most of what are known as Aesopic fables is a compilation of tales from various sources, many of which originated with authors who lived long before Aesop. The roots of fables go back all the way to India, where they were associated with Kasyapa, a mystical sage, and they were subsequently adopted by the early Buddhists. Nearly three hundred years later, some of these fables made their way to Alexandria. This collection introduced the use of the moral to sum up the teaching of a fable, which is similar to the “gatha” of the Jatakas. Aesop himself is said to have composed many fables, which were passed down by oral tradition. Socrates was thought to have spent his time turning Aesop’s fables into verse while he was in prison. Demetrius Phalereus, another Greek philosopher, made the first collection of these fables around 300 BC. This was later translated into Latin by Phaedrus, a slave himself, around 25 BC. The fables from these two collections were soon brought together and were eventually retranslated into Greek by Babrius around A.D. 230. Many additional fables were included, and the collection was in turn translated to Arabic and Hebrew, further enriched by additional fables from these cultures.
'Gypped in Egypt' - (1930) Van Beuren Aesop's Fables