Not only Greek philosophy, but also ancient tragedies offer connections points for the Christian faith. The motive of dying for others can be interpreted as prefiguration of the cross, as the example of the drama Alkestis by Euripides shows. Euripides combines the motive of dying for others with the motive of overcoming death through a struggle. Both motifs can be entangled in Christology: on the cross, Christ took our place to redeem us, in the Descensus ad inferos he showed his saving solidarity with the dead. The act of revelation of the forgiving love of God is thus realized.
