
Sophocles
Personal Info
Known for
Writing
Gender
Male
Place of Birth
Colonus, Athens, Greece
Sophocles
Biography
Sophocles (c. 497/496 – winter 406/405 BC) was an ancient Greek tragedian known as one of three from whom at least two plays have survived in full. His first plays were written later than, or contemporary with, those of Aeschylus and earlier than, or contemporary with, those of Euripides. Sophocles wrote more than 120 plays, but only seven have survived in a complete form: Ajax, Antigone, Women of Trachis, Oedipus Rex, Electra, Philoctetes, and Oedipus at Colonus. For almost 50 years, Sophocles was the most celebrated playwright in the dramatic competitions of the city-state of Athens, which took place during the religious festivals of the Lenaea and the Dionysia. He competed in 30 competitions, won 24, and was never judged lower than second place. Aeschylus won 13 competitions and was sometimes beaten by Sophocles; Euripides won four. The most famous tragedies of Sophocles feature Oedipus and Antigone: they are generally known as the Theban plays, though each was part of a different tetralogy (the other members of which are now lost). Sophocles influenced the development of drama, most importantly by adding a third actor (attributed to Sophocles by Aristotle; to Aeschylus by Themistius), thereby reducing the importance of the chorus in the presentation of the plot. He also developed his characters to a greater extent than earlier playwrights.
Known For
Crew
(2024)
Antigone
Writer
(2022)
Tracking Satyrs
Theatre Play
(2021)
Atlantis
Original Story
(2021)
ITA Live: Oedipus
Theatre Play
(2021)
Antígona Pajubá
Theatre Play
(2020)
The Oedipus Project
Original Story
(2019)
Antigone
Theatre Play
(2015)
Antigone at the Barbican
Original Story
(2013)
Elektra
Theatre Play
(2012)
National Theatre Live: Antigone
Theatre Play
(2001)
L'origine du monde
Original Story
(1996)
Oedipus Mayor
Original Story
(1994)
Elektra
Original Story
(1992)
Antigone
Original Story
(1987)
Elettra
Theatre Play
(1986)
Theban Plays: Antigone
Theatre Play
(1986)
Theban Plays: Oedipus the King
Theatre Play
(1986)
Electra
Theatre Play
(1986)
Theban Plays: Oedipus at Colonus
Theatre Play
(1986)
Elettra, l'attesa
Theatre Play
(1978)
Vládca Oidipus
Theatre Play
(1978)
Elektra
Theatre Play
(1976)
Oedipus at Colonus
Writer
(1974)
Οιδίπους τύρρανος
Theatre Play
(1974)
Antigone
Theatre Play
(1974)
Electra
Theatre Play
(1972)
Oedipus Rex
Theatre Play
(1971)
Antigone
Theatre Play
(1969)
The Year of the Cannibals
Theatre Play
(1968)
Oedipus the King
Theatre Play
(1967)
Oedipus Rex
Theatre Play
(1961)
Antigone
Original Story
(1959)
Hercules Unchained
Theatre Play
(1958)
Antigone
Theatre Play
(1957)
Oedipus Rex
Original Story
(1956)
Oidipus vladař
Theatre Play
(1911)
Oedipus Rex
Theatre Play
(1910)
Oedipe roi
Writer