1. Sophocles 496-406 BC

2. Sophocles The second of the three greatest Greek writers. The second of the three greatest Greek writers. Aeschylus and Aeschylus and Aeschylus Euripides are the other two. Euripides are the other two. Euripides

3. Sophocles Sophocles became a famous Greek playwright by competing in the City Dionysia--a festival held every year at the Theatre of Dionysus (god of wine) in which new plays were presented Sophocles became a famous Greek playwright by competing in the City Dionysia--a festival held every year at the Theatre of Dionysus (god of wine) in which new plays were presented Plays were performed in trilogies at these competitions. Plays were performed in trilogies at these competitions.

4. Sophocles In his first competition, Sophocles won first place, defeating the first great playwright Aeschylus. In his first competition, Sophocles won first place, defeating the first great playwright Aeschylus.Aeschylus He would finish his career with 18 first place finishes; when he did not win, he would finish second. He would finish his career with 18 first place finishes; when he did not win, he would finish second. He wrote around 120 plays in his career. He wrote around 120 plays in his career.

5. Sophocles Of his 120 or so plays, only seven survived in tact. Of his 120 or so plays, only seven survived in tact. Ajax Ajax Antigone Antigone Electra Electra Oedipus at Colonus Oedipus at Colonus Oedipus Tyrannus Oedipus Tyrannus Philoctetes Philoctetes Philoctetes Trachiniae Trachiniae

6. Sophocles Sophocles also changed the face of plays with several new inventions: Sophocles also changed the face of plays with several new inventions: He added a third speaking character on stage. He added a third speaking character on stage. He abolished the trilogy, making each a separate story, instead of all three completing just one story. He abolished the trilogy, making each a separate story, instead of all three completing just one story. Invented scene painting. Invented scene painting.