This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Oedipus the King

   

   "Oedipus the King" is a tragic play that revolves around the life of Oedipus, the king of Thebes, who is prophesied to kill his father and marry his mother. Despite his attempts to avoid this fate, Oedipus unknowingly fulfills the prophecy. When he discovers the truth about his actions, he blinds himself in despair. The play explores themes of fate, free will, and the quest for truth, highlighting the tragic consequences of human hubris and ignorance.

   The 105th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. Antigone

   

   This ancient Greek tragedy follows the story of Antigone, a young woman who defies the king's edict in order to bury her brother according to their religious customs. The king, her uncle, sentences her to death for her disobedience, leading to a series of tragic events including his own son's suicide. The play explores themes of loyalty, honor, obedience, and the conflict between the laws of the state and the laws of the gods.

   The 124th Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. Oedipus at Colonus

   

   "Oedipus at Colonus" is a tragic play that follows the final days of Oedipus, the former king of Thebes. Oedipus, now blind and exiled, arrives at the town of Colonus where he is initially rejected due to the curse that follows him. However, after revealing a prophecy that his burial place will bring prosperity to the city that hosts it, he is allowed to stay. The play explores themes of fate, guilt, and redemption, ending with Oedipus's peaceful death and ascension to a semi-divine status.

   The 383rd Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. Electra

   

   "Electra" is a classic Greek tragedy that revolves around the character of Electra and her thirst for revenge. After her father, the king, is murdered by her mother and her mother's lover, Electra and her brother, Orestes, plot to avenge their father's death. The story is a complex exploration of justice, vengeance, and familial duty, depicting Electra's struggle between her desire for revenge and the moral implications of matricide.

   The 985th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. Ajax

   

   "Ajax" is a classic Greek tragedy that revolves around the character of Ajax, a heroic warrior in the Trojan War who falls into a state of madness and despair when he is passed over for the honor of inheriting the armor of the fallen hero, Achilles. In his fury, Ajax slaughters a flock of sheep, believing them to be his comrades. When he regains his sanity and realizes what he has done, he is filled with shame and ultimately takes his own life. The play explores themes of honor, pride, and the tragic consequences of unchecked rage.

   The 1123rd Greatest Book of All Time

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6. 6. Philoctetes

   

   "Philoctetes" is a Greek tragedy that tells the story of a skilled archer abandoned on a deserted island by the Greeks during the Trojan War, due to a foul-smelling wound on his foot. Years later, the Greeks discover a prophecy that they will need Philoctetes and his magical bow to win the war. They send Odysseus and Neoptolemus to retrieve him, leading to a moral dilemma as they must decide whether to deceive the bitter and mistrustful Philoctetes or to persuade him to willingly join their cause. The play explores themes of suffering, deceit, and the struggle between personal integrity and duty.

   The 1124th Greatest Book of All Time

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7. 7. Women of Trachis

   

   This ancient Greek tragedy follows the story of a woman who mistakenly kills her husband, a legendary hero, with a poisoned shirt. She had been given the shirt by a dying centaur who told her it would ensure her husband's loyalty. However, the centaur had actually been fatally wounded by the hero, and the shirt was soaked in the centaur's poisonous blood. The woman kills herself upon realizing her tragic mistake.

   The 1125th Greatest Book of All Time

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8. 8. The Three Theban Plays

   

   The collection consists of three ancient Greek tragedies that explore the fate of the city of Thebes and its royal family. The first play, "Oedipus Rex," follows King Oedipus as he seeks to rid Thebes of a plague, only to discover that he has unwittingly fulfilled a prophecy by killing his father and marrying his mother. The second play, "Oedipus at Colonus," depicts the end of Oedipus's life as he finds redemption and peace in the town of Colonus. The final play, "Antigone," centers on Oedipus's daughter, Antigone, who defies the king's orders to give her brother a proper burial, leading to tragic consequences. Together, these plays explore themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of human actions.

   The 15629th Greatest Book of All Time

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9. 9. The Oedipus Plays Of Sophocles

   

   This collection of three ancient Greek tragedies explores the tragic fate of a royal family cursed by prophecy and plagued by fate. The narrative follows the journey of a king who unwittingly fulfills a dire prophecy by killing his father and marrying his mother, leading to a devastating revelation and his eventual downfall. As the story unfolds, themes of fate, free will, and the search for truth are intricately woven into the characters' struggles, culminating in a powerful exploration of human suffering and the limits of knowledge.

   The 15650th Greatest Book of All Time

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10. 10. The Theban Plays

    

    This collection of three ancient Greek tragedies delves into the tragic fate of the royal family of Thebes, exploring themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of human actions. The narrative follows the cursed life of Oedipus, who unwittingly fulfills a prophecy of patricide and incest, leading to his downfall and exile. His daughter, Antigone, emerges as a symbol of defiance and moral integrity, challenging the state's authority to honor her brother with a proper burial, ultimately facing tragic consequences. The plays intricately weave together the personal and political, highlighting the inevitable clash between individual desires and societal laws.

    The 16720th Greatest Book of All Time

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11. 11. Las Siete Tragedias

    

    The book is a collection of seven plays by the ancient Greek playwright, exploring themes of fate, divine intervention, and human suffering. Each tragedy delves into the complexities of human nature and the consequences of moral and ethical choices, often highlighting the tension between individual desires and societal expectations. Through powerful characters and dramatic narratives, the plays examine the inevitability of destiny and the tragic flaws that lead to downfall, offering timeless reflections on the human condition.

12. 12. Sophocles Ii

    Ajax, The Women of Trachis, Electra, Philoctetes

    

    This collection features a selection of Sophocles' plays, showcasing his mastery of Greek tragedy through complex characters and profound themes. The works explore the interplay of fate, free will, and the human condition, often highlighting the tragic consequences of hubris and moral dilemmas. Through intense drama and poetic dialogue, the plays delve into the struggles of individuals against the backdrop of divine influence and societal expectations, offering timeless reflections on the nature of suffering, justice, and the pursuit of truth.

13. 13. Sophocles I

    Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone

    

    This collection of ancient Greek tragedies delves into the complex interplay of fate, power, and human emotion through the stories of three iconic characters. The narrative explores the tragic downfall of a king who unwittingly fulfills a dire prophecy, the harrowing tale of a daughter defying a tyrant to honor her brother, and the gripping account of a ruler's descent into madness and despair. Each play is a profound meditation on the consequences of human actions, the inevitability of destiny, and the enduring struggle between individual will and divine decree.

14. 14. The Oedipus Cycle

    

    The narrative unfolds in ancient Thebes, where a tragic prophecy foretells a king's downfall. The protagonist, a determined ruler, seeks to rid his city of a devastating plague, only to uncover a harrowing truth about his own origins. As the layers of fate and identity unravel, he grapples with themes of blindness and insight, ultimately confronting the catastrophic consequences of his actions and the inescapable nature of destiny. The story is a poignant exploration of human frailty, the limits of knowledge, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

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15. 15. Antigone, Oedipus The King And Electra

    

    This collection of plays delves into the tragic fates of a royal family cursed by fate and their own choices. The narrative explores themes of power, pride, and the consequences of defying divine and societal laws. In one story, a determined young woman defies a king's decree to honor her fallen brother, leading to a tragic chain of events. Another tale follows a king's harrowing journey of self-discovery as he unravels the dark truth of his origins, while the final play portrays a daughter's quest for vengeance against her father's murderers, highlighting the destructive cycle of revenge and the complexities of familial loyalty.

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16. 16. Electra And Other Plays

    

    This collection of ancient Greek tragedies delves into the themes of fate, vengeance, and the human condition through the lives of its complex characters. The narratives explore the emotional turmoil and moral dilemmas faced by individuals caught in the web of familial duty and divine will. With intense dramatic tension, the plays reveal the tragic consequences of human actions and the relentless pursuit of justice, offering timeless reflections on the nature of power, loyalty, and the inevitable clash between personal desires and societal expectations.

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17. 17. Царь Эдип

    

    Трагедия рассказывает о царе, который, пытаясь спасти город от моровой язвы, начинает расследование убийства предыдущего правителя и постепенно обнаруживает, что в юности сам невольно совершил это преступление и, вопреки всем попыткам избежать судьбы, исполнил пророчество — убил своего отца и женился на собственной матери; раскрытие истины приводит к саморазрушению его семьи, к самоослеплению и изгнанию, подчеркивая тему неизбежности судьбы, ограниченности человеческого знания и горькой иронии самопознания.

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