Greek mythology
Alcestis
The wife who died so her husband could live
- Mythology
- Greek mythology
- Group
- Heroes
- Appears in
- Alcestis: Death by Choice
Listen to “Alcestis: Death by Choice” in the app
Alcestis is the devoted wife of King Admetus, the only soul willing to take his place when Death comes to claim him. She bids farewell to her children and goes down to Hades in his stead. In her husband's house Heracles learns of the sacrifice, ambushes Death, and wrestles her back into the light of the living.
Related figures
Real episode from the app
Alcestis: Death by Choice
Chapter 1
00:00--:--
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Alcestis?
- Alcestis is the devoted wife of King Admetus, the only soul willing to take his place when Death comes to claim him. She bids farewell to her children and goes down to Hades in his stead.
- Which mythology does Alcestis belong to?
- Alcestis belongs to Greek mythology.
- Which stories does Alcestis appear in?
- Alcestis appears in Alcestis: Death by Choice, told as chaptered audio dramas in MythologyNow.
Cite this page
APA
MythologyNow. (2026). Alcestis. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/alcestisMLA
"Alcestis." MythologyNow, 2026, https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/alcestis.Chicago
MythologyNow. "Alcestis." Accessed 2026. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/alcestis.Listen to the stories of Alcestis
MythologyNow is out. Over 100 myths in audio, in six languages.