-Lucian's True History

Unlike most other classical authors who grounded their work in historically accurate settings, Lucian intended his True History to be a satirical criticism of ancient works. As seen throughout this exhibit, early historical writers included completely imaginary locations alongside real geography. Lucian specifically mentions Homer, who he meets on the Island of the Blessed, and Herodotus, who is being tortured on a nearby island for lying in his writings. Nearby is Dream Island and the City of Dreams, which has rainbow walls, a prominent Temple dedicated to the Goddess of Night, and a palace of sleep. In True History, Lucian also includes a journey to the Moon, which is inhabited by extraterrestrials who are fighting with people who live on the Sun over colonizing the Morning Star. This lunar trip has led to this work being considered as an early example of science fiction.

The writings of Lucian inspired other works on display in this exhibit. Thomas More, author of Utopia, translated Lucian’s works into Latin from Greek. Lucian’s satirical journey is a clear forerunner of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver's Travels and François Rabelais’ Gargantua and Pantagruel stories.