Aesop was a Greek fabulist and storyteller believed to have lived in the 6th century BC. He is credited with the collection of tales known as Aesop's Fables, which often feature animals as characters and convey moral lessons. Little is known about Aesop's life, but he is believed to have been a slave who eventually gained his freedom and traveled widely, sharing his fables with others. His stories continue to be popular and have been translated into numerous languages around the world.