A True Story, or True History, was written by Lucian of Samosata sometime in the 2nd Century CE. Lucian was born in 125 CE, and lived in Roman occupied Syria.

  The tale has been cited as a very early example of the science fiction genre, as the characters travel to the moon and have to deal with warring aliens, led by the Sun God and the Moon God, who are trying to colonize the Morning Star. It also includes the first known reference to sailing across the Atlantic to find new lands.

  The entire story is most widely seen as a satire. It was a satire of the genre of “travel tales” which were popular before and during Late Antiquity. The Amazon editorial review of the book states that it was intended “as a satire against contemporary and ancient sources, which quote fantastic and mythical events as truth.” Herodotus makes a guest appearance, as do the “heroes of the Trojan War, other mythical men and animals, and even Homer” Source.

  The entire story spoofs what was, as Lucian believed, an already very fantastical genre. Mythology being treated as history by contemporary (at the time) historians was another theme Lucian mocked in True History, and other works. To this end, travels to the moon and alien kings would have fit the need of exaggerating what was already absurd. The story also depicts the travelers arriving at a sea of milk and an island of cheese.

  Lucian states at the beginning of the satire that this is all lies, but it is still the most honest of mythologies because the deceit is stated up front. Lucian of Samosata would seem to fit the same mold as Voltaire. 

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