Euripides was an outstanding poet, lover of the ancient Greek tragic genre. He belonged to a humble family, his teachers were Anaxagoras, Socrates and Protagoras and Prodico, whose preparation can be observed in his works. His first works were staged, in the dramatic festivals of Aticas, there he presented to the public his first work "Los peliadas", with this work he participated in a contest, finishing third.
After this play, ninety-two more followed, of which only seventeen tragedies have survived. Despite this, Euripides's works failed to achieve the expected fame and recognition. It barely achieved four awards at annual festivals held in Athens. Already in the twilight of his life, Euripides decides to move to Macedonia, to be part of the court of King Archelaus, this is in the year 408 BC It is said that it was here that he died after being eaten by dogs.
His work was severely criticized, due to its unconventional nature, since his characters (heroes and princes) used to maintain an everyday language. Besides this, his works showed autonomy of religious and moral values. Euripides was a poet who represented the new social, moral and political styles that were being born in Athens at the end of the 5th century BC. He was more interested in the reasoning and experiences of the common man, more than in legendary characters. Euripides treated his characters in a more realistic way.
In his works, the hero is shown with his weaknesses and infirmities, dominated by dark and secret emotions, which do not allow him to face his destiny, from which he is finally freed, thanks to the mediation of the gods at the end of the work.
Sadly, Euripides was a misunderstood poet for his time, however, he became an example to be followed by many tragic Latinos, to later influence during German neo-classicism and romanticism.
