As with all myths, there is previous history to this story too. Apollo had been angry at Zeus for hurling a thunderbolt at his son Aesculapius, god of healing. (He had been bringing the dead to life and thus incurred Pluto's wrath. Pluto appealed to Zeus to intervene). Apollo could not seek revenge against the all powerful Zeus so he sought out those who made the thunderbolt, the Cyclopes. He shot an arrow into their workshop under Mt. Aetna (actual volcanic mountain on Sicily) and for this was forced to serve the king of Thessaly,Admetus. Apollo served as a shepherd for the king who was a kind master. At this time Admetus was also the suitor of Alcestis and thus the story begins. Apollo helped Admetus meet the demands of her father Pelias (arriving in a chariot drawn by lions and boars). Apollo, grateful to Admetus for the kind treatment he had received,wanted to further repay him. Admetus had become ill. Apollo sought the Fates to learn about Admetus' destiny. What he learned, however, was not what he expected. The Fates were at their work. One, Lachesis, had already determined Admetus' thread of life, and another, Atropos was about to cut the thread. Apollo needed a plan. He left for a short while and returned with some wine. He suggested they drink with him While they were drinking and their defenses were down, Apollo convinced them into making a little deal: they would leave Admetus' life-thread alone if he could find another person who would voluntarily offer his life in place of Admetus'. Admetus, grateful for the opportunity, sought someone his place. He soon learned that while a warrior might be willing to die for him in battle, he did not want to languish on a bed of sickness. He asked his parents; they refused:
"We may not have a very long time here among the living," remarked his father, "but every minute of life is sweet!" It appeared there would be no one to volunteer his life for him...no one except Alcestis, his wife, who out of love for her husband volunteered herself. The pact had been made. As soon as a volunteer offered her life, the deal was set. There was no turning back for either Admetus or Alcestis. Alcestis grew sick as Admeuts grew well. She died.
All of Thessaly joined with Admetus in mourning. Manes of horses were ordered to be sheared, there was to be no music in Pheare for a year; the males were all to shave their heads, and everyone was to wear black clothing.
Greeks and Romans considered that each had his lifespan determined by the three Fates, one who determined the time, one who wove the thread of life and one who cut the thread.
The above passage was adapted from text of Sally Davis, Review and Test Preparation Guide for the Intermediate Latin Student, Addison Wesley Publishing Co.
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