-
400
400's BC -Height of Power
Throughout 400 BC Athens reached its height of power, they were the center of culture in the greek world as well as Thebes was the center of culture and activity in Antigone. Theatre was one of the main forms of entertainment during this time period which may have partially contributed to the idea of the Theban Plays especially Antigone because it was written first.
Citation:"Explore Greece - History." Explore Greece - History. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2015. -
430
430 - Plague in Athens
In 430 BC a plague in Athens killed thousands of its citzens. Antigone is a greek tragedy and this plague was a tragic event possibly having some type of inluence on Sophohocles because he was very well known throughtout greece, he and his family lived not far from Athens and they most likely knew many of the pepole who died during the plague.
Citation:"TIMELINE." Greece Time Line Chronological Timetable of Events. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2015. -
430
430 BC - Death of Pericles
The plague that struck Athens earlier in 430 BC lead to the death of Pericles who was the leading Athenian statesman. Because of his death Athens lacked capable leaders during the remainder of the Peloponnesian war in 431 BC. In Antigone her 2 brothers who were in a war with eacother ended up dying as well and were not capable of leading.
Citation:"Explore Greece - History." Explore Greece - History. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2015. -
431
431-404 BC: Peloponnesian war between Sparta and Athens
Between 431 and 404 BC the Peloponnesian war between Sparta and Athens took place. Sparta and Atehns are two citites located in Greece. This war was occuring the entire time that the play was being written and it did not end until two years after Sophocles' death, all of the violence and conflict throguhout the book could possibly be signifying all of the violence and conflict throughout Greece because of this war.
Citation:"TIMELINE." Greece Time Line Chronological Timetable of Events. N.p., n -
450
450 BC - First Bank
In 450 BC the first bank was founded in Athens, Greece. Anitgone and her family were royal and wealthy and Sophocles and his family were raher wealthy as well. This bank being established signifies wealth throught Greece and could have possibly been an inspiration to Sophocles to make Antigone and her family wealthy.
Citation:"TIMELINE." Greece Time Line Chronological Timetable of Events. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2015. -
460
460-446 BC: First Peloponnesian War
Between the years of 460-446 BC the first Peloponnesian war occured in Greece. In the first scene of Antigone it talks about how her broters died during a war between eachother, the Peloponnesian war was taking palce around the same time and it is possible that it influenced this portion of the story.
Citation:"TIMELINE." Greece Time Line Chronological Timetable of Events. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2015. -
461
461 BC - Peace & Democracy
In 461 BC Pericles begins to promote the ideals of peace and democracy. In Antigone she rebelled against the ways of the government of Thebes for what she thought was right. It is possible that Sophocles was showing his support for the democratic government through Antigone by advocating that the government shouldn't be able to regulate everything and the people should be able to determine for themselves or have some type of say. -
477
477 BC - Golden Age
The Golden Age is a period of time during 477 BC where Greece became famous for it's remarkable literacy and artistic accomplishments. Sophocles wrote many of his plays that are considered to be masterpeices during this time. This period of time took place before he wrote Antigone however it is still considered one of his best works and the things he did during the Golden Age most likely influenced him and his writing later on.
Citation:"Explore Greece - History." Explore Greece - History. N.p., -
438 BC - Parthenon Inaugurated
Parthenon was a greek temple that was dedicated to the goddess Athena,its construction began in 447 BC. Sophocles was a very religious man and he spent a lot of his time in temples/places of worship, a new temple close to his home offers more work space which coud have influenced the writing of Antigone.
Citation:"TIMELINE." Greece Time Line Chronological Timetable of Events. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2015. -
490 BC - Persian Invasion
In 490 BC Persians invaded Greece, it was known as the Battle of Marathon and the Greeks defeated the persians. The invasion could signify a lack of power or a feeling of vulnaribility that the greeks felt and in Antigone Ismene constantly stresses to her sister that she has no power over what happens to their brother.
Citation:"TIMELINE." Greece Time Line Chronological Timetable of Events. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2015.