Paradise Lost, an epic poem written by the English poet of the 17th century John Milton, is considered by critics the "great work" of Milton and contributed to consolidating his reputation as one of the greatest British poets of his time. The poem refers to the biblical story of the fall of man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel of Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The purpose of Milton, stated in Book I, is "to justify the ways of God to men".