ΑΔΜΗΤΟΣ

Definition

According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, Ἄδμητος primarily refers to the proper name of the king of Pherae, son of Pheres and Perimene, and husband of Alcestis. The word, as an adjective, means "untamed," "unsubdued," or "undomesticated," deriving from the privative ἀ- and the verb δαμάζω ("to tame, to subdue"). This primary meaning lends a profound irony to the story of the mythical king, who, though seemingly "untamed" by death thanks to Alcestis, ultimately submitted to a series of divine and human obligations.

Admetus is best known from Euripides' tragedy «Alcestis», which dramatizes his story. Apollo, punished by Zeus, was forced to serve Admetus as a herdsman. During this service, Apollo persuaded the Fates to allow Admetus to escape death if someone else would agree to die in his place. His wife, Alcestis, was the only one who accepted this sacrifice.

Admetus' character in the tragedy is a subject of much discussion. While initially appearing as a man who accepts his wife's ultimate sacrifice, he later expresses deep remorse and grief. The "untamed" nature implied by his name contrasts with his inability to face death and his dependence on others, making him a symbol of human fragility and the complexity of ethical choices.

In ancient Greek literature, Admetus is also mentioned by Homer as the father of Eumelus, one of the Myrmidon leaders at Troy. His story, with its intertwining of gods, death, and self-sacrifice, establishes him as a central figure for exploring the limits of human nature and divine intervention.

Main Meanings

1. The unsubdued, the untamed — The literal meaning of the name, referring to one who has not been tamed or subjugated. Used for wild animals or individuals with an indomitable spirit.
2. The King of Pherae — The proper name of the mythical king of the Thessalian city of Pherae, husband of Alcestis and father of Eumelus. This is its most common usage in ancient literature.
3. One not subject to death — In a mythological context, referring to the exemption granted to him by the Fates to avoid death, provided someone else died in his stead.
4. The undomesticated — In relation to animals, especially horses or cattle, that have not been brought under human control or trained for work.
5. The unmarried, the unwed — Poetic usage for virgins or young people who have not married, i.e., have not been 'tamed' by marriage.
6. The unconquered, the invincible — Metaphorical usage for something that cannot be overcome or subdued, such as a force or a condition.

Word Family

dam- / dmē- (root of the verb δαμάζω, meaning 'to tame, subdue')

The root dam- / dmē- forms the basis of a significant word family in Ancient Greek, all revolving around the concept of subjugation, taming, and control. From the domestication of animals to the enslavement of humans or submission to forces, this root expresses the imposition or acceptance of power. The name Admetus, with its privative ἀ-, reverses this meaning, denoting one who remains independent or unsubdued, creating an interesting dialectic with the root's dominant sense.

In Ancient Texts

Three significant passages from ancient literature that refer to Admetus or his story:

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΑΔΜΗΤΟΣ:

Sources & Bibliography

• Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford University Press, 1940.
• Euripides — Alcestis. Loeb Classical Library.
• Plato — Symposium. Loeb Classical Library.
• Homer — Iliad. Loeb Classical Library.
• Grimal, Pierre — The Dictionary of Classical Mythology. Blackwell Publishing, 1996.