Translations of The Arabian Nights first began to appear in European languages in the early 18th century, and since then, the book has had an enduring influence on Western culture. It is from this book that popular phrases such as "Open Sesame!", popular ideas such as genies granting three wishes, and popular characters like Aladdin and Sindbad the Sailor first came. The book's influence outside of popular culture has been similarly large, with the list of artistic works inspired by the book reaching back over a century.
The Arabian Nights is also notable as a work of literature: indeed, although opinions differ about how it should be classed, it is often considered as a work of Middle...
