In Greek legend, the beautiful daughter of Pelias, king of Ioclos.
Admetus, son of the king of Pherae, sought her hand. To win her he was required to harness a lion and a boar to a chariot, and he succeeded with the aid of Apollo . When Apollo learned that Admetus had not long to live, he persuaded the Fates to prolong his life, on condition someone else die in his stead. As a loyal wife Alcestis consented to do so, but was rescued by Heracles , who wrestled with Death at her grave. Her story is told in Euripides' Alcestis.