(circa 480 BCE — circa 406 BCE)

Euripides was an ancient Greek playwright, specializing in tragedy. He is considered on of the three Greek tragedians of Athens (with Sophocles and Aeschylus). Roughly ninety-five of his plays survived to the modern era.

Euripides’ life has been somewhat obscured by over-fictionalized versions of history. There are several accounts of his life, including fictionalized biographies, lampoons by contemporary comic playwrights, and historical documents. He was likely born on Salamis Island. He won five awards at the prestigious Athenian dramatic festival — one of which was awarded posthumously.

Near the end of his life, Euripides was tried and executed for being a corrupting influence. He chose to spend the rest of his life in exile from Greece and died in Macedonia.