[Euripides]

He is one of the three greatest poets of ancient times, that appeared after Aeschelus and Sophocles.He was born in 485 or 480 BC in Flia or according to some in Salamina. His father Misarchos was a rich landower and offered very good education to the young boy. His father was also the owner of a small tavern. Euripides was a lonely person and he spent most of his time in a property in Salamina away from the social and political issues of the city. His mentors and teachers were Anaxagoras,Aerchelaos and Prodicos. He was a friend of Socrates who had a great influence on his way of thinking. In 411 BC he received the first prize in the tragical competitions in Athens. He died in 406 BC while he was in Pella (Macedonia) where he had been invited by the King Aerchelaos.
Euripides wrote 92 tragedies and satyrical plays in 23 tetralogies,the most of them are refered to Trojan War.Only 18 tragedies have survived, one of them is "Alcestis.
His artistic work:
Euripides was the most tragic of all the poets.His ideas are expressed by his heroes,who usually have to confront a strong dilemma. People also appreciated Euripides as a philosopher.