Alcestis
/ælˈsɛstɪs/noun
In Greek mythology, the wife of Admetus who voluntarily dies in his place and is later rescued from death.
Did you know?In Euripides’ tragedy *Alcestis*, her return from death is deliberately ambiguous: she comes back silent, as though the underworld has changed her.
Etymological Timeline
Archaic Greek
Ancient Greek
Ἄλκηστις (Alkēstis)
“The mythological name of Alcestis; its exact original formation is uncertain.”
5th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Ἄλκηστις
“The heroine of Greek myth who offers herself in death for her husband, Admetus.”
438 BCE
Ancient Greek
Ἄλκηστις
“The title and central character of Euripides’ tragedy, in which Alcestis dies and is restored.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Alcestis
“The Greek heroine’s name, adopted into Latin literary tradition.”
16th Century
English
Alcestis
“An English literary and mythological name derived from Greek and Latin usage.”
Modern English
English
Alcestis
“A proper name used for the mythological figure and for artistic works based on her story.”