In Greek mythology,Alcestis (/ælˈsɛstɪs/;Ancient Greek: Ἄλκηστις,Álkēstis) orAlceste, was aprincess ofIolcus known for her love of herhusband. Her life story was described by Pseudo-Apollodorus in hisBibliotheca,[1] and a version of her death and return from the dead was also popularized byEuripides' tragedyAlcestis.
Alcestis was the fairest among the daughters ofPelias, king ofIolcus, and eitherAnaxibia orPhylomache. She was sister toAcastus,Pisidice,Pelopia andHippothoe.[2] Alcestis was the wife ofAdmetus by whom she bore a son,Eumelus, a participant in the siege ofTroy, and a daughter,Perimele.[3]
When Alcestis came of age to marry, many suitors presented themselves before KingPelias to compete for her hand. Pelias proposed an impossible task, and declared that she would marry marry the first man to yoke a lion and a boar (or a bear in some cases) to achariot. KingAdmetus ofPherae, was able to complete the task with the help of Apollo, who ad been banished fromOlympus for one year to serve as Admetus'shepherd. Alcestis and Admetus were married, but when making sacrifices after the wedding, Admetus forgot to make the required offering toArtemis; when he opened the marriage chamber, he found his bed full of coiled snakes.[4] Admetus interpreted the scene as a sign of his early death.[5]
Apollo again helped the newlywed king, this time by making theFates drunk and tricking them into promising that if anyone was willing to die in Admetus' place, they would allow it. When the day of his death came near, no one volunteered, not even his elderly parents. Alcestis alone came forward to die in place of her husband.[6] As a token of his appreciation for Admetus' hospitality,[7]Heracles rescued Alcestis from theunderworld shortly after fightingThanatos.
After Heracles brings Alcestis back to the mortal realm and unites her with her husband, she is unable to speak. When Admetus questions this, Heracles informs him that she will be silent for three days until she is purified of her debt to thechthonic gods.[8]
Being an early Greek myth, the story of Alcestis can represent the cultural values in Greece at the time. It is known that myths hold cultural values as ways to teach lessons and highlight morals.[9] In the myth of Alcestis, somebody can interpret that she symbolizes women’s roles and expectations in Greece. Alcestis’ character also shows an integral trait cherished by the Greek and desired upon any gender.[10]
Such study can also be extended to other myth characters, including Alcestis’ husband, Admetus. An analysis of Admetus can come to criticize his acceptance of Alcestis’s sacrifice. However, he is shown to realize his mistake—a development in the character to represent growth.[11]
