Alcestis was the daughter of Pelias, the same king of Iolkos, who sent his nephew Jason to recover the Golden fleece. The most famous version of her myth was revived in the tragedy of Euripides "Alcestis". Alcestis was the most beautiful of Pelia's three daughters and she received many wedding offers from various princes and kings. Pelias knew that his daughter's constant refusals to all those powerful suitors could threaten his position, and he devised a feat that the suitor would have to accomplish before he married his daughter. The challenge for the aspiring groom was to tame a wild boar and a lion together in a chariot and ride around a track.
These two animals were symbols of the different halves of the year in ancient Greece. The inclusion of these animals in myth has been interpreted as representing the peaceful division of a kingdom through marriage.
These two animals were symbols of the different halves of the year in ancient Greece. The inclusion of these animals in myth has been interpreted as representing the peaceful division of a kingdom through marriage.
The king of Faerre Admetus had an advantage over other Alkistis suitors: the favor of god Apollo, who had once served as a sentence imposed on him by Zeus, whom he had outraged. His punishment was to become a servant of the Admetus. But Admetus did well and helped him even though he could humiliate the god without risking being punished. With the help of Apollo, Admetus completed the feat of Pelias and married Alcestis. Some time later, however, Admetus became ill and seemed to be dying. Once again Apollo came to help him. The god intervened in the three Fates, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos, and persuaded them to save the life of Admetus, provided that someone else should die in his place. He did not think much about the implications of this agreement and agreed immediately. However, neither his friends nor his parents were enthusiastic to sacrifice their life for him. Only Alcestis offered herself as the replacement.
When Death, the god of the underworld arrived to take Alcestis away, he was neutralized after a raging battle with Hercules. Armed with a bat from a wild olive branch, Hercules forced Death to deliver Alcestis to her husband, and to restore happiness to their lives.
