Home > Oedipus Rex Summary & Study Guide > Historical Context
Oedipus Rex | Historical Context
Sophocles lived and worked in a time of great cultural significance, not only in the history of Athens but the greater sense of western democratic culture. Wars with Persia and Sparta, the development of democratic culture, public architectural projects, and theatrical entertainments, as well as the rise of a distinctively rhetorical culture (a culture based on the strength of language and writing) are important features of the Athens during Sophocles's life, known as the Golden Age of Athens.
Soon after Cleisthenes established democracy in Athens in 507 B.C., Athens was...
[The entire page is 707 words long]
Join eNotes
The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:
Summary and Analysis – Themes – Characters – And much more...
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
- Oedipus Rex: Introduction
- Oedipus Rex: Summary
- Oedipus Rex: Sophocles Biography
- Oedipus Rex: Themes
- Oedipus Rex: Style
- Oedipus Rex: Historical Context
- Oedipus Rex: Critical Overview
- Oedipus Rex: Character Analysis
- Oedipus Rex: Essays and Criticism
- Oedipus Rex: Compare and Contrast
- Oedipus Rex: Topics for Further Study
- Oedipus Rex: Media Adaptations
- Oedipus Rex: What Do I Read Next?
- Oedipus Rex: Bibliography and Further Reading
- Oedipus Rex: Pictures
- Copyright
Related Topics
Tell a friend about Oedipus Rex at eNotes.
