Sophocles

Sophocles (early 5th century BC–406 BC; Greek: ????????) was an ancient Greek playwright, dramatist, priest, and politician of Athens. He was also a general for the Athenian Empire in the Peloponnesian Wars, and during his service he lead the battle against the Peloponnesian Island of Samos. He is sometimes known as the Attic Bee for the "sweetness of his productions." Sophocles is the second, chronologically, of the three great Greek tragedians; he was several decades younger than Aeschylus and a decade or so older than Euripides, and was often in competition with both in dramatic contests.

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The year of his birth is contested, with 488 BC, 495 BC, and 496 BC each having advocates. 495 BC however is preferred by most eminent historians. He is most noted for his prolific playwriting. He wrote 123 plays; in the dramatic competitions of the Festival of Dionysus (where each submission by one author consisted of four plays), he won more first prizes (around 20) than any other playwright, and there is no record of his ever having ranked below second place.

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Many scholars, including Aristotle, considered Sophocles to be the greatest playwright in ancient Greek theatre. However, of the hundreds of works he produced in his lifetime, only seven tragedies survive in their complete forms, along with around half of a satyr play. (Sixty to 90 others exist in fragments). The most famous of his surviving works are his famous three Theban plays, the tragedies surrounding Oedipus and Antigone.

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5th century BC: (6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th century BC - other centuries)...

406 BC: Centuries: 6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th century BC...

Greek: The noun Greek refers to:...

Sophocles related Images and Photos (experimental)

Sophocles

Sophocles Accused by His Sons 1860

Mounet-Sully (1841-1916) as Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (496-406 BC)