Trips to the Moon

Written by Lucian of Samosata in the 2nd century AD, 'Trips to the Moon' is a satirical work that critiques the exaggerations of Greek historians. In this piece, Lucian humorously recounts a journey to the moon, showcasing his wit and serving as a precursor to later works like Cyrano de Bergerac's 'Voyages to the Moon and to the Sun' and Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver’s Travels.' The text also includes the 'Icaro-Menippus Dialogue,' which targets philosophical pretensions, further solidifying Lucian's influence on the genre of satirical science fiction.