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Sophocles, who was a well known Ancient Greek, was born near Athens, Greece in Colonus. The approximate year was 496 B.C.E. His father, Sophillus, was a well known weapons-maker and leading citizen. Sophocles was born into a rich family thus, being highly educated from the start. This most likely set him apart in the Athenian Society. -
Sophocles ultimate goal in life was to improve tragic art. During this time, Greek drama was not doing so well and was in need for a change.
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At sixteen years old, Sophocles led a chant known as the “Paean”. At the time, this chant was very important in his culture because it was a chant dedicated to the Gods after a Greek victory over the Persians in the battle of Salamis. Many say this foreshadowed the leadership role he would have in the Greek arts and government. -
Sophocles’ eventful journey began when taking his first win for his playwright “The Three Theban Plays”. This playwright became one of his most popular artworks that consisted of 3 plays. This playwright included “Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone”. -
Sophocles wrote more than 120 plays during his life. Yet, seven of those plays survived the long years and are complete. Produced in 445 B.C.E, Ajax is a playwright written by Sophocles that tells a story of a Trojan War Hero driven crazy by the goddess Athena. -
Sophocles married his first wife named Nicostrata. In this marriage, he had two sons named Iophon and Sophocles. No exact date is given of this current event. -
Sophocles married his second wife whose name was Theoris. In this marriage, he had a third son named Aristotle. Once again, no exact date is given for when this event occurred.
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Sophocles was an imperial treasurer for the Athenian Empire. His role required him to control the funds of the Delian Confederacy. He represented the power of the entire Athenian empire, thus bringing him honor and glory. During this time, he was also elected as member of the Board of Generals several times and given the title “Dexion” due to his generosity.
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Sophocles won first prize 18 times at the Festival of Dionysus. He would also win second place several times such as, when he took the second prize for “Oedipus”. Still, none of his playwrights came into third place. Even after death, year after year, Sophocles still won many prizes and was praised for his artistic work in the world of the arts due to his gained recognition of his tragedies. These tragedies would then become known as his best dramas.
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Although Sophocles was known for his artistic works, he was very involved in politics. For instance, he served as a general in the siege of an island named Samos. In fact, this challenged the authority of Athens. Not to mention that he also served as a priest of Alscepius who was known as a minor god of healing. -
This was the year “Antigone” was produced. In this play, Sophocles writes about a tragic conflict between a human and a law through the story of Oedipus’ daughter and King Creon. In another playwright named “Electra”, the revenge of Agamemnon’s children is sought on their father’s killers. -
In “Oedipus the King”, Oedipus is a a man fated to marry his mother and kill his father. This was also known as one of Sophocles’ masterpiece of all time. -
As mentioned before, Sophocles was very involved in cultural life such as, in government. In fact, in 413 BCE, he took on a special role of investigating the Athenian military defeat in Sicily. -
In this playwright, Sophocles tells the story of the death of Hercules. The major theme of the play would be loyalty and the responsibility one holds in the family. This play illustrated how each character struggled with duty and obedience with Hercule’s at the spotlight due to the lack of respect he head for his wife. This play also illustrates the unfortunate situations women had in society during the time. -
In this playwright, Sophocles writes about the Trojan war. This playwright begins with Philoctetes whom is kicked off to a deserted island named Lemnos. The reason being is he had a smelling and incurable ulcer on his foot. Soon after, the Greeks discover they cannot win against the Trojans without the help of Philoctetes who happens to possess a magical bow and arrow. Philoctetes is finally convinced to head to Troy to lead the Greeks into victory and be healed of his wound. -
In the year 406, Sophocles died in Athens. -
406 B.C.E was the last year Sophocles entered a competition at the age of 90 years old. Note that this event occurred before his death. -
In this playwright, Sophocles presents the death of Oedipus. In fact, this playwright was produced 5 years after the playwright’s own death. -
One of Sophocles’ most famous quotes stated,
“ One word
Frees us of all the wright and pain of life:
That word is love”.
-Sophocles (https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/1002.Sophocles) -
Till this day, Sophocles is an influential writer in society. He influenced playwrights dramatically by being the first to introduce a third speaking character. Not to mention he also impacted Aristotle. In fact, Aristotle has made numerous references of “Oedipus Rex” in his poetics.
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