Admetus - Mythology

In Greek mythology, the son of Pheres, king of Pherae in Thessaly. In order to gain the hand of the beautiful Alcestis, daughter of Pelias, king of Iolcos, Admetus was required to harness a lion and a boar to a chariot. He succeeded by enlisting the help of the god Apollo, who served him. Apollo discovered that Admetus was soon to die so persuaded the Fates to prolong his life on the condition that someone else would take his place. Alcestis offered herself but was rescued by Heracles who wrestled with Death at her grave.

In Greek mythology, Admetus /æd 'mi: təs/ was a king of Pherae in Thessaly, succeeding his father Pheres after whom the city was named.

Admetus was one of the Argonauts and took part in the Calydonian Boar hunt.

Mythology

Admetus was famed for his hospitality and justice.

Apollo also helped Admetus win the hand of the princess Alcestis, the daughter of Pelias, the king of Iolcus. Apollo harnessed the yoke with the animals and Admetus drove the chariot to Pelias, and thus married Alcestis.

Admetus, however, neglected to sacrifice to Artemis. Apollo advised Admetus to sacrifice to Artemis, and the goddess removed the snakes.

The greatest aid Apollo gave to Admetus was persuading the Fates to reprieve Admetus of his fated day of death. Apollo made the Fates drunk, and the Fates agreed to reprieve Admetus if he could find someone to die in his place. When they were unwilling, Alcestis instead dies for Admetus.

The scene of death is described in Euripedes' play Alcestis, where Thanatos, the god of death, takes Alcestis to the Underworld. As Alcestis descends, Admetus discovers that he actually does not want to live:

The situation was saved by Heracles, who rested at Pherae on his way towards the man-eating Mares of Diomedes.

The most famous of Admetus' children was Eumelus, who led a contingent from Pherae to fight in the Trojan War.