Sophocles

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

Occupation: Playwright

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

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). He broke from Aeschylus' thematically-unified trilogies, and invented skenographia (scene painting), to define the background.

Seven complete tragedies

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

Ajax (440's)
Antigone (442?)
Electra
Oedipus at Colonus
Oedipus Tyrannus (425?)
Philoctetes (409)
Trachiniae

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

• 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.
• Summary of Sophocles' "Oedipus Tyrannos"
  Sophocles' "Oedipus Tyrannos" Dramatis Personae
  Sophocles' "Oedipus Tyrannos" Study Questions

  Robin Mitchell-Boyask's Study Guide for Sophocles' Oedipus Rex.
  Roger Dunkle's Study Guide.

Sophocles is on the list of Most Important People to Know in Ancient History.