Why have more plays by Euripides survived than plays by Aeschylus or Sophocles?

The greater number of surviving plays by Euripides compared to those of Aeschylus and Sophocles is primarily attributed to his enduring popularity during the Hellenistic period.1

While the works of Aeschylus and Sophocles were characterized by an austere, lofty, and essentially political or religious tone, Euripides’ drama offered a more accessible realism, along with sensational and emotional effects that resonated more deeply with later audiences. Consequently, his plays were frequently selected for revivals throughout later antiquity, leading to their more extensive preservation.1

In contrast, the survival of ancient texts was largely dependent on the widespread and continuing popularity of a work, which encouraged consistent copying by succeeding generations. Because Euripides’ work remained in high demand, it was copied more frequently and dispersed more widely, making it less vulnerable to the loss that claimed the majority of other Greek literary texts.21