This paper investigates the terminology referring to the fable in Antiquity until Phaedrus who first drew a definite distinction between Aesop’s fables (fabulæ Æsopi) and Aesopic fables (fabulæ Æsopiæ). It tries to understand if the Phaedrian denomination marks a turning point in the history of fable ¢ making a genre out of it ¢, and to what extent this approach denotes on Phaedrus’ behalf a new generic awareness.