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496 BCE
Birth Date/ Birth Place
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. -
495 BCE
Life Goal
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. -
480 BCE
Important Life Event
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. -
468 BCE
Birth of Sophocles’ Career
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”. -
445 BCE
Ajax Playwright
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. -
445 BCE
Marriage
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. -
443 BCE
Second Marriage
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. -
Period: 443 BCE to 442 BCE
Role in Society
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. -
442 BCE
Awards
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. -
440 BCE
Sophocles’ Service
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. -
440 BCE
Antigone & Electra Playwright
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. -
430 BCE
Oedipus the King Playwright
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. -
413 BCE
Sophocles’ Role in Government
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. -
413 BCE
The Trachinae Playwright
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. -
410 BCE
Philoctetes Playwright
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. -
406 BCE
Death
In the year 406, Sophocles died in Athens. -
406 BCE
Last Memorable Event
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. -
401
Oedipus at Colonus Playwright
In this playwright, Sophocles presents the death of Oedipus. In fact, this playwright was produced 5 years after the playwright’s own death. -
Famous Quote
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) -
Influences
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. -
Bibliography
