was the king of Thessaly, whose flocks were tended by Apollo for nine
years, when banished from heaven. During his servitude to this monarch he
obtained a promise from the Fates, that Admetus should never die if another
person would lay down his life for him.
Being one of the Argonauts, he was at the hunt of the Calydonian boar, when
Pelias promised his daughter in marriage to him only, who could bring him a
chariot drawn by a lion and wild boar. With the aid of Apollo, Admetus
effected this, and obtained the hand of Alcestis.
By the fortune of war, he became a prisoner, and was condemned to death;
Alcestis, with a beautiful display of conjugal affection, laid down her
life to save her husband from the cruel death prepared for him.