Admetus of Epirus: Protector of Themistocles

Introduction

Admetus was king of the Molossian tribe in Epirus in the fifth century BC, active approximately c. 470–430 BC. He is chiefly attested as a contemporary of the Athenian statesman Themistocles, with whom he had been politically at odds while Themistocles dominated Athenian affairs. Surviving accounts record Admetus as the ruler who afforded asylum to Themistocles after the Athenian leader fled Corcyra following his ostracism and accusations connected to Pausanias; Themistocles was first received by Admetus’ wife Phthia, and on his return Admetus promised protection, refused the demands of arriving Athenian and Lacedaemonian commissioners, and arranged Themistocles’ safe dispatch by land to Pydna on the way to the Persian court. Later tradition identifies his son as the Molossian king Tharrypas. Classical sources preserve little else about his reign; his principal historical footprint is the protection and onward passage he provided to Themistocles, an action recorded notably by Plutarch and cited in later historians.