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If you think science fiction started with Jules Verne or H.G. Wells, I’ve got a surprise for you. Long before spaceships and time machines filled bookshelves, there was a man named Lucian of Samosata and he wrote something so wild, so imaginative, it could easily pass for a parody of Star Wars meets The Odyssey. That story? Lucian’s A True Story.

Now, don’t let the title fool you. This ancient tale is anything but true. In fact, Lucian was very clear that his outrageous story was a total fabrication. But why would someone write a story full of lies and proudly call it A True Story? And what exactly happens in it?

Let’s dive into the wild world of Lucian’s imagination, explore what made this 2nd-century Greek writer so ahead of his time, and find out why A True Story is still talked about almost 2,000 years later.

Contents

Who Was Lucian, Really?

Before we unpack the story, let’s meet the man behind the madness. Lucian of Samosata was a Syrian-Greek writer, satirist, and speaker who lived during the Roman Empire, around 125–180 CE. He wasn’t a warrior or a ruler. He didn’t invent flying machines or predict the future. But what he did have was a razor-sharp wit and a deep love for poking fun at anyone who took themselves too seriously.

He grew up speaking Greek, and he had a gift for storytelling. Over time, he became known for his clever satires, bold critiques of religion and philosophy, and his ability to hold a mirror up to society and laugh at what he saw.

So, who is Lucian in history? He’s not just some forgotten scribbler. He’s often credited as one of the first people to use science fiction and satire to challenge false claims and absurd beliefs. He did it with flair, and most importantly, he made it fun.

What Is Lucian’s A True Story, Exactly?

Okay, here’s where things get juicy. Lucian’s A True Story (sometimes called True History) is a short novel just two books long that parodies travel literature, mythology, and even the authors who claimed they were telling “true” stories but clearly weren’t. Lucian opens the tale with a straight-up confession: everything in it is a lie.

“I tell you plainly that I lie.” Lucian, A True Story

That’s literally how he begins the book.

So, is the novel a true story? Nope. It’s a complete and intentional fake. But that’s the whole point. Lucian is mocking other writers especially those who told stories about far-off lands, magical beasts, and heroic adventures as if they really happened.

It’s satire. But it’s also full of imagination, unexpected twists, and sci-fi elements that seem shockingly modern.

A Wild Plot That Jumps From Earth to the Stars

Let’s walk through the basics of Lucian’s story, and trust me it’s a wild ride.

A Journey Gone Wrong
Lucian and his crew set sail on the ocean, looking for adventure. Pretty standard stuff, right? But soon, they’re swept up by a giant whirlwind and flung all the way… to the Moon.
Lunar Warfare
On the Moon, they discover a society of “Moon men” at war with the “Sun men.” Yes, this is ancient space opera. The two sides are battling over colonization rights of Venus, complete with flying spiders, bird-legged warriors, and airborne naval battles.
Alien Culture
The Moon people are super weird. They grow wine-bearing vines instead of hair. They remove their eyes at night like contact lenses. And their babies are born out of men’s calves.
More Strange Worlds
After leaving the Moon, Lucian’s crew gets swallowed by a giant whale, meets sea monsters, and even visits the Island of the Blessed, where heroes like Achilles and Homer hang out.
Meta Ending
The story ends mid-adventure with Lucian promising to finish the tale later… but he never did.

So how long is Lucian’s A True Story? Just two short books, totaling fewer than 100 pages depending on the translation. But in that small space, Lucian crams in a universe of imagination.

What Is the Purpose of Lucian’s True History?

Now for the deeper question: What is the purpose of Lucian’s True History? Why write a completely made-up story and call it “true”?

Here’s the twist: Lucian was calling out all the liars.

Back in his time, it was common for writers to pass off myths, legends, and wild travelogues as factual accounts. Think of authors like Herodotus, Ctesias, and even Homer, who claimed their stories reflected real events even when they were full of monsters, gods, and impossible journeys.

Lucian saw this and said, “Nope. If you’re gonna lie, at least admit it.”

So, A True Story is one big wink to the reader. It’s a parody of fake histories, a satire of tall tales, and maybe even a challenge: “Can you tell what’s real anymore?”

He was warning readers: don’t believe everything you read especially when it comes wrapped in a serious face.

The First Sci-Fi Story… Ever?

Let’s pause for a second and appreciate something remarkable. Lucian’s A True Story is often called the first known science fiction story. That’s not an exaggeration.

He wrote about:

Space travel
Alien life
Interplanetary war
Colonization of other worlds
Artificial weather

And he did this more than 1,800 years before modern science fiction even had a name.

Of course, Lucian didn’t use “science” the way we think of it today. His space battles weren’t based on physics, and there was no Starfleet or laser tech. But the seeds were there curiosity about the cosmos, imagining what life might look like beyond Earth, and blending adventure with imagination.

That makes Lucian not just a satirist, but a pioneer.

How Lucian Still Speaks to Us Today

You might be thinking, “Okay, this is fun, but why should I care about a 2nd-century story full of lies?”

Here’s why: Lucian’s A True Story is surprisingly relevant today.

Media literacy: In a world full of fake news, deepfakes, and viral misinformation, Lucian’s message question what you read is more important than ever.
Parody with a purpose: Satire is still one of the most powerful tools to expose truth. Think of The Onion, Saturday Night Live, or even Black Mirror all modern-day versions of what Lucian was doing.
Imagination without limits: Lucian shows us that creativity doesn’t have to follow rules. He took myths, mashed them with fantasy, and shot them into space. He reminds us that storytelling can be wild, fun, and bold.

Fun Facts About Lucian’s A True Story

Just for kicks, here are some bite-sized facts you can drop at your next trivia night:

📚 Lucian claimed the story was 100% false… then dared you to find a true part in it.
🌙 The Moon men used giant birds as spaceships.
🐳 The crew lived inside a 200-mile-long whale.
🏝️ Lucian visits the Island of the Blessed, where philosophers and poets debate forever.
🛑 He never finished the story, ending it mid-journey. Classic cliffhanger.

So… Is It Worth Reading?

Honestly? Yes.

Even if ancient Greek lit isn’t your usual jam, A True Story is short, funny, and shockingly modern. It feels like Lucian wrote it just to mess with people and somehow, it still works.

It’s also a great reminder that humans have always loved the absurd. We’ve always told stories about impossible things. We’ve always dreamed of the stars. Lucian just got there first with a wink and a punchline.

Final Thoughts: The Lie That Told the Truth

Lucian’s A True Story may be packed with nonsense, but it tells a very real truth. It teaches us to think critically, to laugh at the ridiculous, and to enjoy the ride even when it makes no sense.

Whether you see it as satire, science fiction, parody, or pure chaos, it’s hard to deny that Lucian’s little book punched way above its weight. He didn’t just write a funny story. He predicted an entire genre, challenged fake narratives, and gave the world something to wonder about.

So next time someone tells you sci-fi is a modern invention, just smile and say, “Actually, it started with a lie… in 2nd-century Greece.”