Sophocles (early 5th century–406 BC; Greek: Σοφοκλης) was an ancient Greek playwright, dramatist, priest, and politician of Athens. He is known as the second, chronologically, of the three great Greek tragedians; Sophocles was several decades younger than Aeschylus and a decade or so older than Euripides, and was often in competition with both in dramatic contests.

The year of his birth is contested, with 488, 495, 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.

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.

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.

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 16, 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.

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.

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

Surviving works

Years are approximate

The Theban plays

• (442BC) Antigone
• (427BC) Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex or Oedipus Tyrannos)
• (407BC) Oedipus at Colonus

Other plays

• (445BC) Ajax
• (413BC) The Trachiniae
• (410BC) Electra
• (410BC) Philoctetes

Fragmentary plays

• (5th Century BC) The Tracking Satyrs
• (5th Century BC) The Progeny

Fragments of The Tracking Satyrs (Ichneutae) were discovered in Egypt in 1907. It is one of only two recovered satyr plays.

Fragments of The Progeny (Epigonoi) were discovered in April 2005 by classicists at Oxford University, employing infrared technology previously used for satellite imaging. The tragedy tells the story of the siege of Thebes. The fragment translates to the following:

Speaker A: . . . gobbling the whole, sharpening the flashing iron.

Speaker B: And the helmets are shaking their purple-dyed crests, and for the wearers of breast-plates the weavers are striking up the wise shuttle's songs, that wakes up those who are asleep.

Speaker A: And he is gluing together the chariot's rail. [1]

Trivia

An asteroid, 2921 Sophocles, was named after him.

External links

• Free eBook of Philoktetes at Project Gutenberg