Originally posted by Sparko
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Perhaps:
1/ a story with factual basis, but with elements added for dramatic effect. That would be a matter of determining just how much was added.
2/ a fable which has been severed from a cultural context which identifies it as such.
3/ a factual record
On the basis of all the available evidence, option 3 is not viable.
The first option is viable, with the timing being pushed further back in history if additional material is minimal. It can be brought forward in time if a lot of additional material has been added.
The second option needs no adjustments. Nor would that conflict with the New Testament record. Referring to fables as if they are factual is a perfectly ordinary behaviour. We do not, for example, ordinarily specify "the fictional" events and characters in the parables. They are simply referred to as if they were real - and even fictional characters in recent works. We do not say "the fictional character, Doctor Who said ~;" just "Doctor Who said ~."
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