Sophocles

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Sophocles dominated the stage from approximately 497/6 to winter 406/5 BC, earning him a place alongside two other ancient Greek tragedians whose works have stood the test of time. His initial plays were penned after those of Aeschylus and either before or simultaneously with those of Euripides. Over the course of his life, Sophocles crafted an impressive 120 plays, yet only seven remain intact: Ajax, Antigone, The Women of Trachis, Oedipus the King, Electra, Philoctetes, and Oedipus at Colonus. For nearly five decades, Sophocles reigned supreme as the most acclaimed playwright in Athens' dramatic competitions, held during the city-state's Lenaea and Dionysia festivals. He participated in 30 contests, emerged victorious 18 times, and consistently finished no lower than second place. Aeschylus secured 14 victories, while Euripides claimed a mere five. The legendary tragedies of Sophocles center around Oedipus and Antigone, collectively known as the Theban plays, although each play was originally part of a separate tetralogy, now lost to history. Sophocles revolutionized drama by introducing a third actor, thereby diminishing the chorus's role in plot presentation. He also excelled at character development, surpassing his contemporaries Aeschylus and Euripides. The background surrounding this bust remains shrouded in mystery.