Sophocles

Sophocles was born around 497 BC in Colonus, a village just outside Athens, to a wealthy family. In 480 BC he was chosen to lead a choral hymn celebrating the Greek victory over Persia at Salamis. In 468 BC he won his first victory in the Athenian drama competitions, defeating the older playwright Aeschylus. Over his long life he wrote about 120 plays and won first prize many times. Only seven complete tragedies survive, including Ajax, Antigone, Electra, Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus. Antigone tells of a young woman who defies a king in order to bury her brother. Sophocles is credited with adding a third actor to Greek drama, reducing the role of the chorus. He also took part in public life: he served as one of the treasurers of Athena and, in 441 BC, as one of Athens' ten generals. He died around 406 BC, aged about ninety. Aristotle later held up Oedipus Rex as the highest achievement in tragedy, and his plays are still performed today.

Sophocles is also an author in the library: author page and works.

Faith: Faith not well documented beyond the Athenian religious festivals at which his plays were performed. Source: Wikipedia