Sofokles

Sofokles, also known as Sophocles in English (Greek: Σοφοκλῆς), was an eminent ancient Greek tragedian active in the 5th century BCE. He is traditionally counted among the three great tragedians of classical Athens, alongside Aeschylus and Euripides. Over a long and productive career, he wrote many plays, of which only a portion survive complete.

Born in the mid-5th century BCE, Sofokles is remembered for elevating the craft of tragedy and shaping its conventions. He is traditionally credited with introducing a third actor to the stage and increasing the chorus to enhance dramatic complexity. His emphasis on character development and moral ambiguity helped transition tragedy toward more nuanced, human-centered storytelling.

Among his surviving works, the most enduring and frequently studied include Antigone, Oedipus Tyrannus (Oedipus Rex), Oedipus at Colonus, Electra, The Women of Trachis (Trachiniae), and Philoctetes. These plays are noted for their focus on fate, personal responsibility, and the consequences of hubris, as well as their exploration of political and familial obligations within the fabric of Athenian society.

Sofokles’ influence extended well beyond his own era. His innovations and dramatic approach shaped later Greek theater and had a lasting impact on Roman writers and later Western drama. He died in Athens around 406 BCE, leaving a legacy as a master of tragedy whose works helped define classical Greek theater.