Sophocles published 1 novel and 8 plays. The best-known is Antigone.
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Sophocles
Start here
Antigone
Sophocles's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
The Burial at Thebes (2004)
Plays in order
Electra (1777)
Philoctetes (1777)
Oedipus at Colonus (1819)
Ajax (1851)
Trachiniae (1869)
Antigone (1888)
Ichneutae (1919)
Oedipus Rex (2011)
Film and TV adaptations
- Antigone (1961)Film · from Antigone
- I cannibali (1970)Film · from Antigone
- Antigone (2019)Film · from Antigone
- Hercules Unchained (1959)Film · from Oedipus at Colonus
- Oedipus Rex (1957)Film · from Oedipus Rex
- Oedipus Rex (1967)Film · from Oedipus Rex
- Oedipus the King (1968)Film · from Oedipus Rex
Free to read
All free classics
About Sophocles
Sophocles was an ancient Greek tragedian, one of three from whom at least two plays have survived in full. His first plays were written later than, or contemporary with, those of Aeschylus and earlier than, or contemporary with, those of Euripides. Sophocles wrote more than 120 plays, but only seven have survived in a complete form: Ajax, Antigone, Women of Trachis, Oedipus Rex, Electra, Philoctetes, and Oedipus at Colonus. For almost 50 years, Sophocles was the most celebrated playwright in the dramatic competitions of the city-state of Athens, which took place during the religious festivals of the Lenaea and the Dionysia. He competed in 30 competitions, won 24, and was never judged lower than second place. Aeschylus won 13 competitions and was sometimes beaten by Sophocles; Euripides won four.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Sophocles FAQ
- How many books has Sophocles written?
- Sophocles published 1 novel and 8 plays that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Sophocles's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Antigone.
- What is Sophocles's most famous book?
- Antigone is Sophocles's most widely read book.
- Which Sophocles books have been adapted?
- 3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Antigone (film, 1961), Oedipus at Colonus (as Hercules Unchained, film, 1959) and Oedipus Rex (film, 1957).
- Can I read Sophocles's books for free?
- Yes. 7 books by Sophocles are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Sophocles
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.