Fable fables, which are attributed to the legendary Aesop, supposed to have been a slave in ancient Greece around 550 BCE. When Babrius set down fables from the "Aesopica" in verse for a Hellenistic Prince "Alexander," he expressly stated at the head of Book II that this type of "myth" that Aesop had introduced to the "sons of the Hellenes" had been an invention of "Syrians" from the time of "Ninos" (personifying Nineveh to Greeks) and Belos ("ruler"). Epicharmus of Kos and Phormis are reported as having been among the first to invent comic fables. Many familiar fables of Aesop include
Works attributed to Florus Works attributed to Florus Three main sets of works are attributed to Florus (a Roman cognomen): Virgilius orator an poeta, an Epitome of Roman History and a collection of poems (26 tetrameters, and five hexameters about roses). As to whether these were composed by the same person, or set of people, is unclear, but the works are variously attributed to: The introduction to a dialogue called "Virgilius orator an poeta" is extant, in which the author (whose name is given as Publius Annius Florus) states that he was born in Africa, and at an early age took part in the