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Alcestis

[ al-ses-tis ]

noun

  1. Also Al·kes·tis []. Classical Mythology. the wife of Admetus who gave up her life in order that the Fates might save the life of Admetus and later was brought back from Hades by Hercules.
  2. (italics) a tragedy (438 b.c.) by Euripides.


Alcestis

/ ælˈsɛstɪs /

noun

  1. Greek myth the wife of king Admetus of Thessaly. To save his life, she died in his place, but was rescued from Hades by Hercules
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Example Sentences

He passes over also one of the most famous tales about Hercules, how he freed Alcestis from death, which was the subject of another of Euripides’ plays.

During his servitude Apollo made friends with the household, especially with the head of it and his wife Alcestis.

His wife Alcestis offered to die for him.

“That is the way. I must bring Alcestis back from the dead. Of course. Nothing could be clearer. I’ll find that old fellow, Death. He is sure to be near her tomb and I’ll wrestle with him. I will crack his body between my arms until he gives her to me. If he is not by the grave I will go down to Hades after him. Oh, I will return good to my friend who has been so good to me.”

To be sure, it would have been still more accurate if it had shown him in a fit of rage killing one of the servants who were annoying him with their gloomy faces, but the poet Euripides from whom we get the story kept it clear of everything that did not bear directly on Alcestis’ death and return to life.

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Alcestealchem.