Sophocles' Life

       Sophocles was born in Colonus, a village just outside of Athens. Although the year is not exact it is believed that he was born in 496 B.C. Sophocles' father, Sophillus, was a wealthy manufacturer of weaponry. Sophocles was lucky enough to receive a good education from his childhood into adulthood, which surely played a role in his successful future. When he was about 16 years old he was chosen to lead the Paean, which was known as a choral chant to a god, to celebrate the victory over the Persians in the Battle of Salamis. 
        Sophocles was very popular and favorited because of his activeness in the community and his extraordinary artistic talents. In 413 B.C., he was chosen to become a proboulos, which was an advisory commissioner and very high position to be put in. Sophocles was one of ten people who were responsible to help with the financial and domestic recovery of Athens after being defeated by Sicily. The last recorded act he had done in his community was leading a chorus during a public mourn of one of his rivals whose name was Euripides. Sophocles died around the age of 90 in the winter of 405 or 406 B.C.