Although historians can only piece together the biography of a man who lived before detailed biographical information was reliably recorded, certain "facts" about Euripides's life are generally accepted. Euripides was born around 480 B.C. to parents who were presumably affluent, considering that the playwright obtained a good education and owned a library of philosophical works. Euripides knew the philosopher Anaxagoras, entertained the Sophist Protagoras in his home, and could count on the philosopher Socrates attending his plays. Although no evidence exists that Euripides conversed with Socrates, the latter's influence is apparent in the playwright's skepticism. Euripides's life was deeply affected by the Peloponnesian Wars, which ultimately ended the Golden Age of Athens; the scars of a life plagued by war are evident in the mood of pessimism and uncertainly that permeates his works of tragedy. Euripides's.....
