Francisci Porti Cretensis... In omnes Sophoclis tragoedias prolegomena, ut vulgo vocantur

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THE PROLEGOMENA introductory remarks OF FRANCISCUS PORTUS OF CRETE ON SOPHOCLES'
Ajax the Whip-Bearer.

We shall treat first of the Poet and his character, then of Tragedy and its origin, and lastly, we shall explain the argument of this play.

Decorative drop cap 'S' featuring floral scrollwork.Sophocles was an Athenian, the son of Sophilus. He is said to have been born in the 73rd Olympiad, being seventeen years older than Socrates. Gellius writes that he was also older than Euripides. He is said to have been raised in a gentlemanly fashion, educated in the liberal arts, and to have applied himself to the gymnasium and music, from which he took the prize. He is said to have learned poetry from Aeschylus, who preceded him in age. And when he was already famous for the splendor of his life and his learning, he is reported to have entered public life. He held many embassies; he was even a colleague of Pericles, whose contemporary he was, in the Praetorship against the Samians. He also presided over a Priesthood on account of his remarkable piety toward the gods. Thus, warned by Hercules in his sleep, he is said to have pointed out to the people the golden crown which had been stolen from the citadel, and to have received a talent for this information. With that money, he built a temple to Hercules the Judge. He had several sons: Iophon, Leosthenes, Ariston, Stephanus, and Meneclides. He was called into court by Iophon on account of envy—that is, because he loved his grandson Sophocles, the son of Ariston, more and preferred him—or on account of negligence in family affairs, as others hold, whom Cicero also followed. These are the words of Cicero in the Cato:

Sophocles wrote tragedies until extreme old age: since he seemed to neglect his family affairs on account of his studies, he was called into court by his sons so that, just as in our custom it is common to interdict fathers who mismanage their property,