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Admetus

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Mythological king of Pherae whose life was spared when his wife Alcestis volunteered to die in his place, later rescued by Heracles.

Detailed Definition
Admetus was a Thessalian king known for his hospitality; Apollo served him as a herdsman. When fated to die, his wife Alcestis volunteered to take his place—a sacrifice later reversed by Heracles. His story, dramatized by Euripides, appears in poetry as a symbol of marital devotion, divine favor, and the fragility of life.
Example
Example in poetry:
Euripides’ tragedy Alcestis features Admetus as a king granted life if someone dies in his place; In the Iliad, Admetus is listed among the allies of the Greeks at Troy; Pindar’s Pythian Odes praise Admetus for his hospitality to Apollo; Apollodorus recounts how Apollo served Admetus as punishment, highlighting divine humility; Admetus appears in Roman poetry as a symbol of marital devotion and kingly virtue.
Additional Notes
Admetus, king of Pherae, appears in Euripides’ Alcestis and myth as a figure whose life is spared by Apollo’s intervention—on condition someone else dies in his place (his wife Alcestis volunteers). His story explores themes of sacrifice, marital devotion, and the limits of mortality. In the Iliad, he’s a minor ally; in Pindar, he’s praised for hospitality. Students should analyze how Admetus functions as a foil to heroic norms—his survival hinges on love, not valor. His connection to Apollo (who served him as a herdsman) also underscores divine-human reciprocity. Related figures: Alcestis, Heracles (who rescues her), Apollo.
Also Known As
Admetus of Pherae King Admetus Apollo’s Shepherd Husband of Alcestis
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