Source edition
Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This dialogue depicts the philosopher Menippus embarking on an extraordinary journey to the heavens using bird wings, offering a satirical perspective on human society from a divine vantage point. Disillusioned by the contradictory and arrogant cosmological theories of earthly philosophers, Menippus constructs his own wings to seek the ultimate truth. Upon reaching the Moon, he meets the philosopher Empedocles, who helps him look down upon the Earth to witness the ridiculous and deceitful nature of human endeavors. Ascending further to Mount Olympus, Menippus delivers a complaint from the Moon Goddess to Zeus and witnesses the assembly of the gods, who lament human selfishness and condemn hypocritical philosophers. Ultimately, Zeus deprives Menippus of his wings and sends him back to Earth, where he finishes recounting his cosmic adventure to an astonished friend.