The Chronicles of Narnia

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels for children written by C. S. Lewis. They present the adventures of children who play central roles in the unfolding history of the realm of Narnia, where some animals talk, magic is common, and good is fighting evil. The books are also known for their illustrations by Pauline Baynes. The stories illustrate aspects of Christianity in a way that is accessible to younger children.

Source of the name

Narnia is the Latin name of an Italian town now named Narni, located very close to Rome. This town was so named from 299 BC. It has been said that Lewis named Narnia for this town, which he had come across in an atlas as a child.

Related Topics:
Narnia - Latin - Italian - Narni - Rome - 299 BC - Atlas

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From the age of twelve to about twenty-two, Lewis read many classic Latin writers. According to Paul Ford's Companion to Narnia, Lewis' first successes at Oxford were in the classics and ancient history, it is quite possible that he came across at least seven references to Narnia in Latin literature. "Four references are found in Livy's History (10:10, 27:9,27:50, and 29:15) Tacitus's Annals (3:9). Pliny the Elder's comment in Natural History about its unusual weather (it became drier in the rainy season) and in Pliny the Younger's."

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Readers may also be interested to note that "Aslan" is the Turkish language word for "Lion."

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