Sophocles

Sophocles was the second of the 3 greatest Greek writers of tragedy (with Aeschylus and Euripides). He is known for writing about Oedipus, the mythological figure who proved central to Freud and the history of psychoanalysis. Sophocles lived through most of the 5th century, experiencing the Age of Pericles and the Peloponnesian War.

Occupation: Playwright
Sophocles - Basics: Sophocles lived from c. 496-406 B.C. He grew up in the town of Colonus, just outside Athens, which was the setting of his tragedy Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles' father Sophillus, thought to have been been a wealthy nobleman, sent his son to Athens for an education.
Sophocles - Public Offices: In 443/2 Sophocles was hellanotamis or treasurer of the Greeks and managed, with 9 others, the treasury of the Delian League. During the Samian War (441-439) and the Archidamian War (431-421) Sophocles was strategos 'general'. In 413/2, Sophocles was one of the board of 10 probouloi or commissioners in charge of the council.
Sophocles - Religious Office:

Sophocles was a priest of Halon and helped introduce the cult of Asclepius to Athens. He was honored posthumously as a hero.
Source:
Greek Tragedy An Introduction, by Bernhard Zimmerman. 1986.
Accomplishments of Sophocles:

In 468, Sophocles defeated the first of the the three great Greek tragedians, Aeschylus, in a dramatic competition; then in 441, the third of the tragedian trio, Euripides, beat him. During his long life Sophocles earned many prizes, including about 20 for 1st place.

Sophocles increased the number of actors to 3 (thereby reducing the importance of the chorus). Sophocles broke from Aeschylus' thematically-unified trilogies, and invented skenographia (scene painting), to define the background.
Extant Plays by Sophocles:

Seven complete tragedies

* Oedipus Tyrannus
* Oedipus at Colonus
* Antigone
* Electra
* Trachiniae
* Ajax
* Philoctetes

out of more than 100 survive; fragments exist for 80-90 others. Oedipus at Colonus was produced posthumously.
Prize Dates When Known:

Ajax (440's)
Antigone (442?)
Electra
Oedipus at Colonus
Oedipus Tyrannus (425?)
Philoctetes (409)
Trachiniae
Greek Theater Study Guide:

* Overview of Greek Theater
* Important Facts About Greek Theater and Greek Drama
* Select Greek Theater Bibliography
* Tragedy - Setting the Stage
* Aeschylus
* Sophocles
* Euripides
* Aristophanes

Study Guides For Sophocles' Tragedies:

* Robin Mitchell-Boyask's Study Guide for Sophocles' Ajax.
Robin Mitchell-Boyask's Study Guide for Sophocles' Ajax.
* Robin Mitchell-Boyask's Study Guide for Sophocles' Antigone.
Roger Dunkle's Study Guide.
* Robin Mitchell-Boyask's Study Guide for Trachinian Women.
* Robin Mitchell-Boyask's Study Guide for Sophocles' Philoctetes.
Robin Mitchell-Boyask's Structural Guide for Sophocles' Philoctetes.
* Robin Mitchell-Boyask's Study Guide for Sophocles' Electra.
* Robin Mitchell-Boyask's Study Guide for Sophocles' Oedipus Rex.
Roger Dunkle's Study Guide.

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