Whether it is fate, destiny, the will of the gods, or the path a person chooses for themselves, all of these unknowns are linked and played out in the literature of Sophocles. Each of them can be considered a main theme in all of his stories. Jeffrey L. Buller has written an author's biography of Sophocles. Sophocles was born in Colonus, within the city limits of Athens, Greece, around the beginning of the fifth century BCE (c. 496 BCE). Colonus had his own legendary heroes, one of whom was at the center of "three of Sophocles' most famous tragedies", Oedipus. According to legend, one of the local heroes was "an exiled Theban king who mysteriously disappeared into a grove in Colonus and continued to protect the region until the time of Sophocles." In the 5th century, competitions were held and prizes were awarded to the best playwrights. “Sophocles was to receive first prize some twenty times…he often won second prize and, say ancient authorities, never came last.” By winning these competitions, more than any other playwright of the time, he built a very successful career. Sophocles is said to have learned “the art of tragedy” from Aeschylus; however, it is unclear whether Aeschylus served as a mentor or whether Sophocles was self-taught using "imitation" of Aeschylus' work. Besides his literary career, Sophocles was also "actively involved in the political and military life of the Athenians"; Sophocles served as a general in the army and held several political offices. Critics of Sophocles say that imitation of Aeschylus is present in the "first period of heavy tragedies" of his work. The other two periods of his work, all three defined by Sophocles himself, w...... middle of article ......April 2014.Buller, Jeffrey L. "Sophocles". Magill'S Survey Of World Literature, revised edition (2009): 1-6. MagillOnLiterature Plus. Internet. April 15, 2014. Holmes, John R. “Oedipus Tyrannus.” Cyclopedia of literary places (2003): 1. MagillOnLiterature Plus. Internet. April 15, 2014. Lewin, Jennifer. “A Glimpse of Oedipus Rex.” Drama for students. Detroit: gale. Literary Resource Center. Internet. April 15, 2014. “Oedipus Tyrannus.” Cyclopedia of Literary Characters, Third Revised Edition (1998): 1-2. MagillOnLiterature Plus. Internet. April 15, 2014. Walton, J. Michael. “Oedipus the King: overview. Reference guide to world literature. Ed. Lesley Henderson. 2nd ed. New York: St. James Press, 1995. Literary Resource Center. Internet. April 15, 2014. Weigel, Jr., James. “Oedipus Tyrannus.” Masterplots, fourth edition (2010): 1-3. MagillOnLiterature Plus. Internet. April 15 2014.