Which classical authors influenced Jean de La Fontaine?

Jean de La Fontaine was an assiduous reader who drew significant inspiration from the literature of classical antiquity. Among the authors of the classical period, he was most familiar with the works of Homer, Plato, Plutarch, Terence, Virgil, Horace, and Ovid.1

While he likely accessed many of these classical texts through translations, his work reflects a deep engagement with this rich literary heritage. Additionally, his famous Fables were notably influenced by the Aesopian model, a tradition established by the legendary Aesop and further developed by classical figures such as Horace, Plutarch, and the Greek satirist Lucian. La Fontaine skillfully integrated the matter and manner of these authors into his own writing, creating a body of work that remains a cornerstone of French literature.12