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.

Life

Sophocles was born about a mile northwest of Athens in the rural deme (small community) of Colonus Hippius in Attica. His birth took place five years before the Battle of Marathon, and fifteen before the Battle of Salamis. His father, Sophilos (sometimes "Sophillus"), was a wealthy merchant. Some historians speculate that Sophilos was a carpenter, smith, or swordmaker; the majority believe he ran some kind of armaments business or factory that employed people of many occupations.

Related Topics:
Athens - Deme - Colonus Hippius - Attica - Battle of Marathon - Battle of Salamis - Carpenter - Smith - Sword - Armaments

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As a boy, Sophocles was educated in the arts and at a palaestra. He won awards in wrestling and music, and was said to be graceful and handsome. At the age of sixteen, he was chosen to lead the chorus of naked boys (paean) at the Athenian celebration of the victory against the Persians at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC.

Related Topics:
Arts - Palaestra - Wrestling - Music - Naked - Paean - Persian - Battle of Salamis - 480 BC

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Twelve years later, Sophocles first entered the Festival of Dionysus with his play The Triptolemos. He took first prize, defeating even Aeschylus. Surprisingly, Sophocles's most famous play, Oedipus the King, only won second place.

Related Topics:
Dionysus - The Triptolemos - Aeschylus - Oedipus the King

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In 440, Sophocles was elected as one of the ten strategoi (military commanders) of Athens.

Related Topics:
440 - Strategoi

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