Creation is an epic historical fiction novel by Gore Vidal which was published in 1981. Epic can mean: Epic poetry, a style of poetry EPIC, an abbreviation Epic Age, a time period in Indian history Epic, a series of wargames Epic Records, a record label Epic Comics, an imprint of Marvel Comics Epic Illustrated, an anthology series published by Marvel Comics Epic Games, a computer... A historical novel is a novel in which the story is set among historical events, or more generally, where the time the action takes place in predates the time of the first publication -- distinguish and contrast the genre of alternate history. ... DeFoes Robinson Crusoe, Newspaper edition published in 1719 A novel (from French nouvelle, new) is an extended fictional narrative in prose. ... Gore Vidal, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1948 Eugene Luther Gore Vidal, known better simply as Gore Vidal, (born October 3, 1925) is a well-known American writer of novels, plays and essays, and a public figure for over fifty years. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The plot follows the adventures of a Persian diplomat in the 5th century BCE, who travels the known world comparing the political and religious beliefs of various nation states of the time, and meeting influential philosophical figures such as Socrates, Bhudda and Confucious. Persian may refer to more than one article: the Western name for Iranian (see Iran/Persia naming controversy) Persian, an Iranian language the Persians, an ethnic group a Persian, a breed of cat Persian, a Pok̩mon character Etymology English Persian < Old English, < Latin *Persianus, < Latin Persia, < ancient Greek Persis... This article is about the ancient Greek philosopher, for all other uses see: Socrates (disambiguation) Socrates (June 4, ca. ... Confucius (traditionally 551 BC Р479 BC) was a famous sage and social philosopher of China whose teachings deeply influenced East Asia during twenty centuries. ...

Vidal evokes a theme which Robert Graves had previously explored, a skepticism of the reported facts and interpretations of our understanding of History as reported by the winners of its battles. The story features a rather amusingly sarcastic treatment of the pretensions of the glory of Classical Golden Age Athens. Portrait of Robert Graves (circa 1974) by Rab Shiell Robert von Ranke Graves (July 24, 1895–December 7, 1985) was an English scholar, best remembered for his work as a poet and novelist. ... One of the most famous quotations about history and the value of studying history, by Spanish philosopher, George Santayana, reads: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. ... The Acropolis in central Athens, one of the most important landmarks in world history. ...

Creation is not generally regarded by critics as one of Vidal's more influential works, but is probably deserving of closer attention.