Name Perry Index | ||
The Perry Index is a widely used index of "Aesop's Fables" or "Aesopica", the fables credited to Aesop, the storyteller who lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BC. Modern scholarship takes the view that Aesop probably did not compose all of the fables attributed to him; indeed, a few are known to have first been used before Aesop lived, while the first record we have of many others is from well over a millennium after his time. Traditionally, Aesop's fables were arranged alphabetically, which is not helpful to the reader. B. E. Perry listed them by language (Greek then Latin), chronologically, by source, and then alphabetically; the Spanish scholar Francisco Rodríguez Adrados created a similar system. This system also does not help the casual reader, but is the best for scholarly purposes.
Contents
- Paulus Diaconus
- John of Schepey
- Metrical
- Neckham
- Rhymed verse
- Roberts Romulus
- Extravagantes
- Bern
- Promptuarium
- Poggio and Abstemius
- References
Ben Edwin Perry (1892–1968) was a professor of classics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1924 to 1960. He was author of Studies in the Text History of the Life and Fables of Aesop and many other books. His Aesopica ("A Series of Texts Relating to Aesop Or Ascribed to Him Or Closely Connected with the Literal Tradition that Bears His Name") has become the definitive edition of all fables reputed to be by Aesop, with fables arranged by earliest known source. His index of fables has been used as a reference system by later authors.
Paulus Diaconus
585. Sick Lion, Fox and Bear. cf. 258
586. Calf and Stork
587. Flea and Gout
John of Schepey
644. Buzzard and hawk
645. Lion and unicorn
Metrical
646. Capon and hawk
647. Merchant and wife
Neckham
648. Vulture and eagle
Rhymed verse
649. Stag, hedgehog and boar
Robert's Romulus
650. Presumptuous beetle
651. Rustic and his wife
652. Cuckoo and birds
653. Farmer sold his horse
654. Eagle, hawk and crane
655. Wolf fasting for Lent
656. Swallow and sparrows
657. Cattle hauling dung
658. Hare wanted horns
659. Wolf and beetle
Extravagantes
693. Unlucky Wolf, Fox and Mule (written on hoof)
694. Little Boar
695. He-Goat and Wolf
696. Wolf and Ass
697. Serpent as Adviser
698. Wolf as Fisherman
699. Wolf's Misfortune
700. Hunter and Ploughman
701. Dog and Wolf
702. Dog in Manger
703. Three Sons Dividing Inheritance
704. Little Fox under Wolf's Tutelage
705. Dog, Wolf and Ram
706. Lion's Son learns about Man
707. Knight and Mendacious Squire
Bern
708. Ape and Bear
709. Dog and Slain Master
710. Dog and Boy in River
711. Ram and Baldheaded Master
712. Wolf and Hungry Fox
713. Adulterous Stork
714. Ram and Wolf
715. Fox and Sick Ape
716. Mouse and Daughter
717. Rooster and Horse Talking about Master
718. Generous Fox and Wolf
719. Dog begging Bone from Master
Promptuarium
720. Scarecrow
Poggio and Abstemius
721. Father, Son, and Donkey
722. Teaching Donkey to Read
723. Rustic Wanting to Cross River
724. Fly on Chariot
725. Fish from Frying Pan into Coals