Admetus
Greek · mortal · heroic age · Recorded classification
Mortal king of Pherae in Thessaly, son of Pheres; husband of Alcestis and father of Eumelus. Famed for the justice of his hospitality to Apollo during the god year of servitude, and as the beneficiary of the unique death-day reprieve that the Moirai granted at Apollo intercession — the bargain that drives the self-sacrifice of Alcestis and her rescue by Heracles.
Children
Domains
- kingship
- hospitality
- generosity and hospitality
Epithets
- ἀμύμων Ἄδμητος — blameless Admetus Hom. Il. 2.713-714 (primary)
Relations
- spouse: AlcestisHusband of Alcestis, who volunteered to die in his place.Apollod. 1.9.15; Eur. Alc. (throughout) (primary)
- father of: EumelusFather of Eumelus, leader of the Pherae contingent at Troy.Hom. Il. 2.711-715; Apollod. 1.9.10 (primary)
- ally: Apollo (Olympian; served a year as herdsman of Admetus and secured his death-day reprieve) · GreekEur. Alc. 1-71; Callim. Hymn 2.47-54 (primary)