The earliest variation of this story I’m aware of is the story of Astyages and Cyrus the Great, as told by Herodotus in ‘The Histories’. In short, Astyages had a dream his daughter would give birth to a son that would destroy his empire. He married his daughter off and when she had a child ordered one of his underlings, Harapgus, to kill the boy. Harpagus was unwilling to spill royal blood, even under orders from the king, and gave the boy to one of his friends whose wife had given birth to a stillborn that day, and gave the stillborn to Astyages. A decade later Astyages confided in Harpagus he regretted having the boy killed and Harpagus told Astyages he didn’t actually kill him. Astyages invited Cyrus back to his court and threw Harpagus a feast. In that feast, Astyages had Harpagus’ son killed and fed to Harpagus without telling him what meat was in the meal until the final course, Harpagus’ son’s head. Later Harpagus, who was still one of Astyages trusted generals, incited Cyrus to rebellion as revenge for the “Abominable Supper”. Historians believe the entire story to be untrue.

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