Sophron of Syracuse (Σώφρων ὁ Συρακούσιος) Life Sophron was a 5th-century BCE writer of mimes from Syracuse in Sicily, a contemporary of the tragedian Euripides [1][2]. Little is known of his personal life, but he was the father of Xenarchus, who also wrote mimes [1][2]. He composed his works in the local Doric dialect [1][2].

Works His works survive only in fragments, primarily under the titles Mimes of Men (Ἄνδρες) and Mimes of Women (Γυναῖκες) [1][2]. These were prose compositions, possibly rhythmic, depicting realistic scenes from daily life. Surviving fragments portray a range of characters and scenarios, such as a mother scolding her daughter or a fisherman boasting about his catch [1].

Significance Sophron is a significant pioneer of the literary mime genre. His realistic sketches were highly regarded in antiquity; Plato reportedly admired him and introduced his work to Athens [1][2]. This admiration indicates Sophron's influence on later comic and character-driven literature. His use of the Doric dialect and Sicilian setting provides valuable insight into the language and social milieu of 5th-century Syracuse [1].

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sophron 2. Perseus Digital Library, Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dsophron-bio-1