Who was the woman in Greek mythology who agreed to sacrifice her life to save her husband but was later rescued from Hades by Hercules?

Answer 1

In one telling of the story, Alcestis was said to have been rescued from Hades by Hercules, as a token for the hospitality he received from King Admetus, her husband.

Apollo, who was being punished by Zeus for killing either the Cyclops or Persephone, was allowed to choose the home in which he would spend a year toiling in the human realm as a simple shepherd. He looked around and noticed a young King, Admetus of Pherae in Thessaly, who treated his people with fairness and justice. Since he would have to live under their rules and since Admetus appealed to him, Apollo decided that his kingdom would be the best choice.

While there, Apollo bestowed a number of blessings upon the king. It is suggested that Apollo and Admetus were lovers, which may explain why the god intervened on his behalf, as much as much as he did.

The first time Apollo bestowed a blessing was to ensure that each time a birth was to occur in the herd, that it would be especially fruitful.

Another time, Apollo warned the king that he needed to make a sacrifice to Artemis. Apparently the King had forgotten to do this and the Goddess filled the wedding chamber with snakes. Thanks to the reminder, he performed the offering, and the Goddess was pleased, so she removed the serpents.

Apollo also intervened a third time. Although King Admetus was destined to die young, Apollo plied the fates with spirits and had them agree that, should a person agree to die in his place, then he would live forever.

Finding someone to agree to such a bargain was obviously difficult, and none could be persuaded. Just before death was to come, Alcestis, the queen, stepped forward and offered herself as the person to die, instead of her husband. Although they loved one another, Admetus allowed her to do this. All she asked for in return was that he be a good father to their children, not marry another, and refrain from the merrymaking, for which he was known.

The next day, his friend, Hercules arrived and though there were some signs of mourning, Admetus refrained from telling his guest of the queen's passing and demanded the same of his servants. Hercules became quite drunk and was becoming quite rowdy, when one of the servants, who loved and respected the queen, snapped at Hercules for his behavior, when the household should have been in mourning.

In return for his hospitality, especially the attempt not to burden him with such glum news, Hercules decided to do something for his friend, the king.

A few days passed, then Hercules returned to the palace of Admetus. Hercules explained that he had a favor to ask of the king. He requested that the king take care of something very special to him, that he could not take on his journey. Admetus agreed to the request and a heavily veiled woman was presented as the "precious item". She could not speak and did not move all too well.

When Hercules was just about to leave, he asked Admetus to remove the veil from the woman. The king began to tremble at the sight of his beloved, Alcestis. Hercules explained that it would take three days until she was fully "back to life", after which her speech would return and that she would be completely well. It seems that he went to Hades, won a Wrestling match, and picked Alcestis as his reward.