Tales of the Greek Heroes

Young Prince Admetus of Pherae, a brave and handsome man, falls in love with Alcestis, daughter of Pelias, who is King of Iolcus. Alcestis loves Admetus, but her father objects to the marriage unless Admetus kills a wild boar.

Meanwhile, Apollo, disguised as a herdsman, appears to Admetus and serves him for a year. Admetus is kind to him, and his herds thrive. When Apollo reveals his true identity, he explains that he must serve a mortal to atone for killing a Cyclops. Admetus asks for his help in marrying Alcestis, and Apollo sends him to find Heracles, who knows how to tame beasts.

Admetus returns from this quest victorious and marries Alcestis, but he forgets to offer a sacrifice to Artemis. In response, Artemis hides Alcestis from him, but Apollo intervenes. Besides returning Alcestis, Apollo says that when Death comes for Admetus, someone else can agree to die in his place. When Admetus receives Death’s summons, he turns to his parents, but they refuse. In the end, Alcestis offers herself to Death. Shortly after this, Heracles arrives. When he discovers the truth, he wants to visit Alcestis’s tomb. There, he demands that Death release her. When Death refuses, they fight fiercely.