Alcestis married Admetus and bore him children. She volunteered to die in his place when his fated hour came, becoming the archetype of wifely devotion.
Apollo served King Admetus of Pherae as a herdsman and became his protector, tricking the Fates into allowing Admetus to escape death if another died in his place.
Admetus sailed with the Argonauts on the voyage to Colchis, numbered among the heroes who joined Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece.
Admetus forgot to sacrifice to Artemis at his wedding feast. The offended goddess filled his bridal chamber with a knot of snakes, and only Apollo's intervention appeased her wrath.
Admetus joined the hunt for the Calydonian Boar, the monstrous beast sent by Artemis to ravage Calydon. He was among the many heroes who gathered for the legendary hunt.
In Euripides's Alcestis, Heracles arrived at Pherae as a guest of Admetus, who concealed his wife's death out of hospitality. Learning the truth, Heracles wrestled Thanatos at Alcestis's tomb and restored her to life.
Pelias, king of Iolcus, set an impossible bride-price for his daughter Alcestis: yoking a lion and a boar to a chariot. With Apollo's help, Admetus accomplished the task and won Alcestis's hand.
Thanatos came to claim Admetus's wife Alcestis, who had volunteered to die in her husband's place. Admetus's grief and hospitality to Heracles led to Alcestis's rescue when the hero wrestled Death at her tomb.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. Learn more