ADMETUS, in Greek legend, son of Pheres, king of Pherae, in Thessaly. By the aid of Apollo, who served him as a slave— either as a punishment for having slain the Cyclops, or out of affection for his mortal master—he won the hand of Alcestis, the most beautiful of the daughters of Pelias, king of Iolcus. Finding that Admetus was soon to die, Apollo persuaded the Fates to prolong his life, provided any one could be found to die in his place. His parents refused, but Alcestis consented. She was rescued by Heracles, who wrestled with Death and made him give her back.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.-See A. Lesky, Alkestis: der Mythus und das Drama Bibliography.-See A. Lesky, Alkestis: der Mythus und das Drama (Vienna, 1925) ; Roscher's Lexikon, arts. Admetos, Alkestis.