Euripides (Εὐριπίδης) was a major Athenian tragedian of the 5th century BCE, born on Salamis around 480 BCE [1][2]. Educated and influenced by contemporary philosophers, he produced his first plays in 455 BCE and won his first victory in 441 BCE [1]. Less engaged in public life than his contemporaries, he was later portrayed as a reclusive figure [1][2]. He spent his final years at the court of King Archelaus of Macedon, where he died in 406 BCE [1][2]. His career unfolded during the Peloponnesian War and the Sophistic movement, and he won only four victories at the City Dionysia during his lifetime despite competing 22 times [1][2].

Nineteen plays survive under his name, including Medea (431 BCE), Hippolytus (428 BCE), The Trojan Women (415 BCE), The Bacchae (405 BCE), and Iphigenia at Aulis (405 BCE) [1][3]. One satyr play, Cyclops, and the disputed Rhesus are also extant [1][3]. A single epistle is attributed to him.

Euripides is one of the three canonical Greek tragedians. His significance lies in his radical innovations: psychologically complex characters, challenges to traditional values and gender roles, and powerful voices for marginalized figures [1][2]. Though less popular in his own time, he became the most influential tragedian in later antiquity, profoundly shaping subsequent drama [1][2][3].

Sources 1. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Euripides: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/euripides/ 2. Encyclopædia Britannica: Euripides: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Euripides 3. Perseus Digital Library: Euripides: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/collection?collection=Perseus:collection:Greco-Roman