Student Question
What wars occurred at the beginning and end of Sophocles' life?
Quick answer:
Sophocles lived from approximately 496 to 405 BC, witnessing two major wars involving Athens. As a child, he experienced the Greco-Persian Wars, which included key battles like Marathon and Thermopylae, although he was likely too young to participate. Later in his life, the Peloponnesian War broke out between Athens and Sparta, lasting from 431 BC until shortly after his death in 405 BC.
Sophocles's life spanned the time from approximately 496 to 405 BC. During his long life, the polis of Athens, of which he was a citizen, was involved in the two most famous wars of its history.
When Sophocles was a child, Athens and other Greek poleis were involved in their war against the Persian Empire. This was the war in which the famous battles of Marathon and Thermopylae and Salamis occurred. Sophocles was probably too young to have participated in this conflict as he was about 16 when it ended.
Much later in Sophocles' life, the Peloponnesian War erupted, pitting Athens against Sparta as the main antagonists. This war lasted from 431 until the year after Sophocles died.
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