Above is the acutal Admetus riding his chariot.
Like most of the Jellicles Admetus has a very interesting name. Admetus was acutally the name of a famous mythical king of Pherae, Thessaly from Greece. He was also one of the Argonauts and participated in the Calydonian Boar hunt.
Admetus was in the favor of the god of the arts, Apollo. Apollo had been punished for murdering the Cyclops. He was sentenced to live as mortal for nine years. During these years, he choose the home of Admetus' where he lived as a herdsmen. Admetus's was a kind king (rare in Greek Mythogoly) and Apollo admired him greatly. Since he was still had his god like powers he made at the cows produce twins. This was only one of the many ways Apollo returned Admetus' kindness.
Admetus had fallen in love with the princess Alcestis, daughter of Pelias. The king would only allow Admetus to wed his daughter if he rode a chariot pulled by lions, boars and other wild animals. Apollo gathered the animals and attached them to the chairot so Admetus could ride it. Then the two of them were wed. However, Admetus forget to sacrifice to Artemis. Not only was she the twin of Apollo but she was the godess of hunt and childbirth. She was so enraged that she summoned snakes to the bridal chamber of Admetus and Alcestis. Apollo told Admetus about his error and the king soon fixed his mistake.
The greatest deed Apollo did for Admetus was saving him from death. Apollo had gotten the Fates drunken so that when it was time for Admetus to die someone else could take his place. Since his wife loved him dearly she took his place in Hades. The hero Heracles heard of this tragic event and went down to Hades to save Alcestis. He brought her back to Admetus and the two of them lived together happyliy.
Not only was Admetus famous but so was his son, Eumelus, was farely famous too. He was not only one of Helen's many suitors but he also fought in the Trojan war. His wife was the daughter of Icarius and sister of Penelope, Odysseus' wife.
