Sophocles

Statue of Sophocles. Handmade of alabaster,and painted in museum patina.

Sophocles of Kolōnos (c. 496 – c. 406 BCE) was one of the most famous and celebrated writers of tragedy plays in ancient Greece and his surviving works, written throughout the 5th century BCE, include such classics as Oedipus the King, Antigone, and Women of Trachis. As with other Greek plays, Sophocles’ work is not only a record of Greek theatre but also provides an invaluable insight into many of the political and social aspects of ancient Greece, from family relations to details of Greek religion. In addition, Sophocles’ innovations in theatre presentation would provide the foundations for all future western dramatic performance, and his plays continue to be performed today in theatres around the world.

The Greek world had three great tragedians: Aeschylus (c. 525 – c. 456 BCE), Euripides (c. 484 – 407 BCE), and Sophocles. Their works were usually first performed in groups of threes (not necessarily trilogies) in such religious festivals as the competitions of Dionysos Eleuthereus, notably the City Dionysia in Athens. The plays were often performed again in lesser theatres around Greece.  And the best were even distributed in written form for public reading. Kept as official state documents for posterity, and studied as part of the standard Greek education.

Life of SOPHOCLES

Sophocles had an exceptionally long career. His first competition entry was in 468 BCE and his last ,was in 406 BCE when he was 90. Clearly a great admirer of his fellow playwrights, Sophocles even dressed the actors and chorus of his final play in mourning to mark the death of Euripides in 407 BCE. Sophocles won at least 20 festival competitions, including 18 at the City Dionysia. He also came second many times and never had the ignominy of being voted third and last in competitions. Sophocles was, therefore, at least in terms of victories, the most successful of the three great tragedians.

As a child, he had been the chief dancer in the festivities .IN order to celebrate victory over the Persians in 479 BCE.  Early in his career HE even acted in his own plays.  But due to a weak voice he settled into the role of writer only. The playwright, seems to have had a favourite principal actor, one Tlepolemus. As to Sophocles’ character we have hints from Aristophanes, the great writer of Greek Comedy, who describes his contemporary as ‘easy-going’ and ‘relaxed’.

Outside of theatre life, Sophocles was also an active member of the Athenian polis. He was a state treasurer (hellenotamiai) between 443 and 442 BCE and a general (alongside Pericles) involved with putting down the revolt on Samos in c. 441 BCE.