Lucian's True History

Often called the world’s first science fiction story, True History by Lucian of Samosata is a wild, satirical journey through impossible worlds. Written in the 2nd century CE, it follows a narrator swept away to the moon, caught in cosmic wars, swallowed by a giant whale, and visiting fantastical lands filled with the bizarre and absurd.

More than just an imaginative adventure, Lucian’s work pokes fun at historians, philosophers, and storytellers who claimed truth while spinning unbelievable tales. Witty, outrageous, and centuries ahead of its time, True History blends parody, fantasy, and proto–science fiction in a way that still feels fresh and clever today.

A must-read for fans of satire, classics, and anyone curious about the roots of speculative fiction.