Euripides was born on the island of Salamis in Ancient Greece. His life coincided with a period of great cultural and political effervescence in Classical Athens, although he himself was not Athenian by birth. He dedicated himself to writing tragedies, distinguishing himself from his predecessors by his more skeptical and humanist approach to myths. His characters are often portrayed with psychological depth, questioning the gods, justice, and human nature. Plays such as "Medea", "The Bacchae", "The Trojan Women", and "The Cyclops" (the only complete satyr play to have survived from Ancient Greece) exemplify his style and concerns. "Medea", in particular, is famous for its raw depiction of revenge and passion. Euripides is considered a precursor to modern drama for his psychological analysis and his critical approach to traditional narratives. He died in Pella, Macedonia.