* Ancient Greece and Rome: Early forms of prose fiction existed in these cultures, including satirical works like Lucian's "True History" (2nd century AD) and the "Milesian Tales" (2nd century BC). These stories often contained elements of fantasy, satire, and romance, paving the way for later novelistic forms.
* Medieval Europe: The development of vernacular languages and the rise of chivalry influenced the emergence of "romances," long tales of adventure and love featuring knights, damsels, and fantastical elements. The "Romance of the Rose" (13th century), a long allegorical poem, exemplifies this trend.
* Renaissance Italy: The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in classical literature, and authors like Boccaccio (14th century) wrote realistic narratives like the "Decameron." His stories, though short, exhibited a focus on characters, their motivations, and social interactions.
* 17th and 18th Centuries: This period is considered the "golden age" of the novel. Authors like Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, and Henry Fielding established the conventions of the novel, focusing on realistic characters, detailed settings, and complex plots. Novels like "Robinson Crusoe" (1719), "Pamela" (1740), and "Tom Jones" (1749) became immensely popular and shaped the form for centuries to come.
Therefore, the novel wasn't born at a specific point in time and place, but rather emerged as a gradual evolution of storytelling across various cultures and centuries.