Lucian of Samosata

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Lucian of Samosata

120-c. 180

Syrian-born Roman satirist who wrote the earliest stories about voyages to other planets. In both his Icaromenippus and True History, Lucian depicted trips to the Moon and outer space. He also wrote a number of works critical of impostors, including a magician and "wonder-worker" named Alexander, who he attacked in Alexander the Paphalagonian.