Gourt > Arts > Literature > Drama > Ancient Greek > Sophocles (4)
Sophocles (497 BC, 496 BC, or 495 BC – 406 BC) (Ancient Greek: ) was one of the three great ancient Greek tragedians, together with Aeschylus and Euripides. According to the Suda he wrote 123 plays; in the dramatic competitions of the Festival of Dionysus (where each submission by one playwright consisted of four plays; three tragedies and a satyr play), he won more first prizes (around 20) than any other playwright, and placed second in all others he participated in (Lloyd-Jones 1994: 8). His first victory was in 468, although scholars are no longer certain that this was the first time that he competed (Scullion 2002).
Only seven of his tragedies have survived complete in the medieval manuscript tradition. The most famous are the three tragedies concerning Oedipus and Antigone: these are often known as the Theban plays or The Oedipus Cycle, although they do not make up a single trilogy. Discoveries of papyri from the late nineteenth century onwards, especially at Oxyrhynchus, have greatly added to our knowledge of Sophocles' works. The most substantial fragment which has so far appeared contains around half of a satyr play, The Tracking Satyrs.
Sophocles was born about a mile northwest of Athens in the rural deme (small community) of Colonus Hippius in Attica, which today is near the railway station. His birth took place a few years before the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC: the exact year is unclear, although 497/6 is perhaps most likely (Lloyd-Jones 1994: 7). The ancient life of Sophocles disputes claims that his father, Sophillus, was a carpenter, smith, or swordmaker, asserting rather that he owned slaves who pursued such occupations. The Life goes on to say the young Sophocles won awards in wrestling and music, and was graceful and handsome. He led the chorus of naked boys (paean) at the Athenian celebration of the victory against the Persians at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC.
More on [ Sophocles ]
4Literature.net: Sophocles - E-texts of prose translations of the plays, by R. C. Jebb.
Meta Description: [ Read classic literature by Sophocles at 4literature.net ]
About.com: Sophocles - Introduction to the author, with links to Greek and English e-texts of his works and to study guides.
Meta Description: [ Sophocles - Greek playwright Sophocles ]
LiteratureClassics.com: Sophocles - Essays on Sophocles' tragedies, e-texts of his works, a biography and links to related sites and resources.
Meta Description: [ Sophocles - free essays, eTexts, resources and links from LiteratureClassics.com. ]
Sophocles - A biography of the Greek dramatist; includes a list of related links.
Meta Description: [ A biography of the Greek dramatist Sophocles and list of related links. ]
Sophocles (c. 496-406 B.C.) - Biography of Greek playwright Sophocles, plus links to all of his works currently in print.
Meta Description: [ Biography of ancient Greek playwright Sophocles--plus links to all of his works currently in print. ]
Sophocles and His Tragedies - Biography of ancient Greek dramatist Sophocles and analysis of his poetic qualities.
Meta Description: [ Biography of ancient Greek dramatist Sophocles and analysis of his poetic qualities. ]
Sophocles Forum Frigate - Discussion forum and live chat devoted to Sophocles.
Meta Description: [ SOPHOCLES Discussion Deck. ]
Sophocles: Monologues - An index of monologues by the Greek dramatist Sophocles.
Meta Description: [ An index of monologues by Sophocles. ]
Sophocles: Poems - An index of poems by the Greek dramatist Sophocles.
Meta Description: [ An index of poems by sophocles. ]
Sophocles: Rivendell's Drama Page - Biographical information, online articles and text histories on Greek playwright, Sophocles.
| "Oedipus the King" starring Christopher Plummer (Part 5 of 14) | |
| Next Video | |
