Greek Mythology Notes

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Alcestis

hero

Ἄλκηστις

Wife who died for her husband

Alcestis was the devoted wife who volunteered to die in place of her husband Admetus — the only person willing to make the sacrifice.

The Myth

When Admetus was fated to die young, Apollo arranged that Death would accept a substitute. Admetus asked his elderly parents; they refused. Only Alcestis, his wife, agreed to die for him. Heracles, arriving as a guest, learned of her death and wrestled Thanatos (Death) at her tomb, winning her back. Euripides' Alcestis (438 BC), the earliest surviving complete play, explores the selfishness of letting someone else die for you.

Parents

Pelias and Anaxibia

Children

Eumelus, others

Symbols

marriage beddeath veilself-sacrifice

Fun Fact

Euripides' Alcestis is the oldest surviving complete Greek play — and one of the first to question whether accepting another's sacrifice is truly noble.

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