Here's why:
* No clear definition: The term "novel" didn't exist in ancient times. Early works that we might consider novels today were called different things, like "romances" or "tales."
* Ancient examples: There are many ancient works that share characteristics of a novel, like the "Epic of Gilgamesh" (Mesopotamia, 18th century BC), "The Odyssey" (Ancient Greece, 8th century BC), and "The Tale of Genji" (Japan, 11th century).
* Medieval developments: During the Middle Ages, long prose narratives became more common, but they often lacked some of the traits we associate with modern novels.
* Rise of the novel: The 18th century saw the emergence of the novel as we know it today, with writers like Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, and Henry Fielding.
Therefore, it's more accurate to say that the concept of the novel developed gradually over centuries, with many authors contributing to its evolution.
Instead of looking for the first novel, it's more interesting to explore the history of the genre and how it has changed over time.