Frescoes depicting Alcestis and Admetus at the Archaeological Museum of Naples in Italy

Alcestis and Admetus, Pompeii, Casa del Poeta tragico

Fresco - Water-based pigments on Coating (106 x 86.5 cm) 50–79 AD

Fresco Alcestis and Admetus, Pompeii, House of the Tragic Poet, Archaeological Museum of Naples

Alcestis and Admetus The fresco depicts the tragic scene of the reading of Apollo's oracle written on the scroll held by the figure seen from behind who is addressing the royal couple seated opposite him.

King Admetus is very worried, he stretches out his arm, pointing to the scroll as if to make sure that the messenger has read the text correctly; the messenger hands him the oracle of Apollo announcing that his death will be delayed on the sole condition that a member of his family agrees to die in his place.

At the top left, Admetus's parents refuse to die in his place, while Apollo, wearing his halo, watches the scene indifferently, leaning over his messenger, insensitive to the distress of Alcestis's daughter.

Alcestis and Admetus Alcestis occupies the centre of the stage, his face turned towards Apollo, in the dignified posture of a heroine who obeys the divine will by agreeing to sacrifice herself for the love of her husband.

This tragedy originates from the failure to thank a goddess who is particularly susceptible.

To win Alcestis' hand in marriage, Admetus had to tame a lion and a boar and harness them to his chariot.

He succeeded in this difficult task thanks to Apollo, who helped him defeat these ferocious beasts.

On the day of his wedding, Admetus was so happy that he forgot to honour the goddess of the hunt with a sacrifice.

Artemis' anger was terrible, and Apollo managed to calm his sister by obtaining permission from the gods to postpone Admetus' death through the voluntary sacrifice of a member of his family.

The oracle predicts the death of Admetus, Herculaneum, Basilica

The Oracle and Admetus Fresco - Water-based pigments on coating

The man, seen from behind and bare-chested, is seated opposite Admetus to announce his fate, which condemns him to imminent death unless a member of his family agrees to die in his place.

The entire family is distraught by the decision of the impassive god at the top of the fresco, their attitudes and faces expressing intense emotions.

Admetus is devastated, Alcestis shares his despair and shows her love by supporting him in a gesture full of tenderness, while their daughter, surprised and frightened, recoils with her hand raised.

The Oracle and Admetus Admetus's father is sorry, his mother is deeply worried; yet neither of them will agree to die in his place.

Alcestis decides to offer her life in exchange for her husband's and addresses her daughter in the play written in her honour by Tacitus:

“But you, my daughter, who will shape your youth with dignity?
[…]
for your mother will not choose a husband for you; she will not be there, my daughter, to encourage you in the pains of childbirth, where the presence of a mother is so comforting.”
Tacitus - Alcestis, verses 313–319