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Euripides · c. 480-406 BC

Alcestis

Ἄλκηστις
Ancient Sources / Euripides / Alcestis

Read our guide to Alcestis

Alcestis was staged in 438 BC as the fourth play of a group, in the place of a satyr play. Apollo has gained for King Admetus of Pherae the favour that he may escape death if another will die for him, and only his wife Alcestis is willing. The play shows her death and Admetus' grief, and the arrival of his guest Heracles, who wrestles with Death. The sections follow the play's own units (prologue, parodos, episodes, choral songs and exodos) and keep the standard line numbers of the Greek text.

Read from the start
Text
Greek original with English translation, 23 passages, about 10500 words in English.
Translator
Edward P. Coleridge (1891)
Edition
Greek text: Gilbert Murray (ed.), Euripidis Fabulae, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902, as digitised by Perseus. English: Edward P. Coleridge, The Plays of Euripides, London: George Bell and Sons, first published 1891 (Bohn's Classical Library; the Perseus header records a later printing)
Cite as
Euripides, Alcestis 1 (by line number)

Contents · 23 passages

  1. 1–27Prologue: Apollo explains why Alcestis must die261 words
  2. 28–76Prologue: Apollo and Death quarrel over Alcestis507 words
  3. 77–140Parodos: the elders of Pherae ask whether Alcestis is dead455 words
  4. 141–212First episode: the Maid describes Alcestis' last hours677 words
  5. 213–279First choral song; Alcestis comes out to die540 words
  6. 280–325Second episode: Alcestis asks Admetus never to remarry458 words
  7. 326–368Second episode: Admetus vows lifelong mourning410 words
  8. 369–415Second episode: Alcestis entrusts her children to Admetus and dies428 words
  9. 416–475Second episode: Admetus orders mourning; the Chorus praises Alcestis471 words
  10. 476–506Third episode: Heracles arrives on his way to Thrace297 words
  11. 507–568Third episode: Admetus conceals Alcestis' death and welcomes Heracles614 words
  12. 570–613Second choral song on Admetus' hospitality; the funeral procession280 words
  13. 614–674Fourth episode: Pheres brings gifts and Admetus rejects him586 words
  14. 675–705Fourth episode: Pheres defends himself311 words
  15. 706–746Fourth episode: Admetus and Pheres part in anger; Alcestis is borne to burial421 words
  16. 747–816Fifth episode: the Attendant reproaches Heracles for feasting648 words
  17. 817–860Fifth episode: Heracles learns of Alcestis' death and goes to the tomb437 words
  18. 861–902Exodos: Admetus returns from the burial in grief357 words
  19. 903–961Exodos: Admetus laments his empty house456 words
  20. 962–1007Third choral song: nothing is stronger than Necessity287 words
  21. 1008–1036Exodos: Heracles brings a veiled woman and asks Admetus to keep her288 words
  22. 1037–1117Exodos: Admetus reluctantly agrees to take the woman852 words
  23. 1118–1163Exodos: Heracles restores Alcestis to Admetus496 words

More by Euripides

English translation by Edward P. Coleridge (1891). Original text: Greek text: Gilbert Murray (ed.), Euripidis Fabulae, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902, as digitised by Perseus. English: Edward P. Coleridge, The Plays of Euripides, London: George Bell and Sons, first published 1891 (Bohn's Classical Library; the Perseus header records a later printing).

Greek text and translation from the Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Perseus Digital Library); translation public domain. Introductions, summaries and notes © GreekMythology.com.