Secondary sourceDocument1905
Sophocles entry, New International Encyclopaedia
Paul Shorey · 1905
A 1905 encyclopedia article on Sophocles by Paul Shorey, summarizing his life and legendary reputation.
A reference encyclopedia article summarizing Sophocles' legendary life and reputation, written long after his death.
About this source
What it is
This is an entry on Sophocles written by Paul Shorey for the New International Encyclopædia, published in New York in 1905. It is a reference article, not a primary account.
Why it matters
The entry shows how, centuries later, scholars pieced together stories about Sophocles' life from ancient sources, mixing confirmed facts with legend, such as his beauty, his role in a victory celebration, and his supposed modeling for a painter.
Look closer
- Which details sound like verified fact, and which sound like legend or flattery?
- Why might an encyclopedia from 1905 repeat stories that cannot be fully proven?
- What does this entry leave out about Sophocles' actual plays?
This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Sophocles on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
More Sophocles sources
Meet the AI Sophocles →Primary source
Oedipus Rex
Sophocles · c. 429 BCE
Primary source
Antigone
Sophocles · c. 441 BCE
Primary source
Oedipus at Colonus
Sophocles · written shortly before 406 BCE; first performed 401 BCE
BookSecondary source
Poetics
Aristotle · c. 335 BCE
SculptureSecondary source
Statue of Sophocles (Lateran type)
Roman copy, 1st century CE, of a Greek original of the 4th century BCE
Ready when you are
Start chatting with Sophocles now.
20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.