He gained his first victory in a drama contest in 511 BC. His famous play, the "Capture of Miletus" or the "Sack of Miletus", was probably composed shortly after the conquest of that city by the Persians during the Ionian Revolt. Miletus was a colony of Athens and therefore traditionally held especially dear to the mother city. The audience was moved to tears by Phrynichus' tragedy, with the poet being fined "", "for reminding familiar misfortunes". As a result, the play was banned from being performed again. (Herodotus 6.21.10)