ALCESTIS (daughter of Pelias in Greek mythology)

Pelias had promised Alcestis to the man who could yoke a lion and boar, and Admetus obtained her by presenting the yoked animals to him.² She became the best of wives to Admetus and gave birth to their son, Eumelus.^8,9,3,4 Following her father's death, she lived in Admetus's house as an orphan.¹⁰

When Death came to claim Admetus, Alcestis agreed to die in his place to save his life.^2,11,10 She stated that a god caused these things and that it was not her own free will, even though she refused to live without her husband.^11,9 The ferryman Charon forcibly pulled her toward the realm of the dead, while Death intended to take her to the underworld as his rightful victim.^12,13,14 Alcestis reported that darkness was stealing into her eyes and commanded others to stop touching her and to lay her down.¹⁵

She bid farewell to her children, telling them they no longer had a mother and urging them to live in the light.^15,9 Alcestis entrusted her children to Admetus to raise and asked him not to remarry a woman who might harm them.^9,11 She warned that a stepmother would treat their children with cruelty and jealousy, and she feared a new wife would slander her daughter and ruin her marriage prospects.¹¹ She wished her husband and children happiness and asked Admetus to remember the gratitude owed to her for her sacrifice.¹¹

Apollo predicted that a hero would forcibly rescue her from Death, though Death asserted she would descend to Hades despite such threats.¹⁴ Heracles intended to rescue Alcestis from death and return her to her husband, planning to ambush the ruler of the dead or plead for her release if the ambush failed.¹⁶ Heracles successfully secured her release from the underworld, and the Maiden sent Alcestis back to life after her death.^17,2 Her bed remained in Admetus's house, though he claimed she still lived in some sense, and she was described as being related to Protesilaus.^18,10,17