They were first compiled in c 2nd c BC by Aristides of Miletus as a collection of witty, voluptuous tales of the Gods and Goddesses of the Greeks, translated into Latin in c 2nd c AD, and have since been lost except for a fragment preserved in Apuleius’ story of Eros[Cupid] and Psyche, now considered as the world’s first novel.

One of the theories given for their loss was that they were too ribald and pornographic to suit the good tastes of their readers at that time but academia believe that the Milesian Tales nevertheless served as prototypes of most of the Classical Mythology that have survived and which form the foundation of much of Western culture, language and philosophy – despite the fact that the worship of the pagan Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Greeks and Romans, such as Zeus[Jupiter], Ares[Mars], Aphrodite[Venus], etc, was discontinued with the advent of Christianity. The importance of Classical Mythology to Western culture may be witnessed in the works of the earliest Masters of Art whose masterpieces now grace palaces, monuments, museums and galleries.

The Milesian Tales have defied retelling for centuries, since to do so, one has to be careful not to violate or compromise the sanctity of the host of existing myths – a seemingly impossible task! This impossible task [a literary scoop?] has at last been achieved by Malaysian author, Nicholas Chong , a former London resident, whose reconstruction of the Milesian Tales, together with its modern sequel, the Malesian Tales, now challenges contemporary society to be shocked as much as the original Tales shocked the Milesians in their time.

"The Milesian and Malesian Tales" is a parody of love and sex in Classical Mythology and records the Battle of the Sexes fought by the Milesians and the Malesians.

The book is about the love affair of Zeus[Jupiter],the King of the Gods and Aphrodite[Venus], the Goddess of Love, as well as that of their son, Eros[Cupid], Love himself, and his beloved Psyche[the Soul] who gave her name to such words as "psychology" and "psychopathy" and can claim to be a veritable text-book on Male and Female eroticism, cupidity, psychology and psychopathy!

These witty, voluptuous fables are intended to outrage, shock, entertain and inform but you will need to have a great sense of humour and a strong and sturdy constitution! So do you dare to read them?