Sophocles c. 497 ?406 BC) one of three ancient Greek tragedians [shown here in the national garden-ATHENS]His first plays were written later than those of Aeschylus; and earlier than or contemporary with those of Euripides. seven plays have survived in a complete form: Ajax; Antigone; The Women of Trachis; Oedipus the King; Electra; Philoctetes and Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles influenced the development of the drama; most importantly by adding a third actor; reducing the importance of the chorus . He also developed his characters to a greater extent than earlier playwrights such as Aeschylus.