batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l1764-l1832
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l1764-l1832
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK SECOND / THE STORY OF THE SACK OF TROY / BOOK THIRD / THE STORY OF THE
SEVEN YEARS' WANDERING; lines 1764-1832
start: '1764'
end: '1832'
translation: The Aeneid of Virgil
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Aeneas hears that Helenus rules Greek towns and that Andromache is again
married among Trojans. He finds Andromache making rites for Hector at a symbolic
tomb near a feigned Simoïs, and she reacts with shock at seeing him alive. She
recounts captivity under Pyrrhus, transfer to Helenus, Pyrrhus' death by Orestes,
and Helenus' new Trojan-named realm. Helenus welcomes Aeneas and the Trojans into
a recreated Troy, hosts them, and, after Aeneas asks for divine guidance, prepares
to give prophecy following sacrifice to Phoebus.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Aeneas hears a report that Helenus, son of Priam, is ruling over Greek towns
and that Andromache has again come to a husband of her own people.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Andromache pours libations near waters named as a feigned Simoïs and calls
Hector's ghost to an empty tomb with two altars.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Andromache is frightened and faints when she sees Aeneas and the Trojan arms
around him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Andromache asks whether Aeneas is alive and real, and asks where Hector is
if Aeneas is not among the living.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Aeneas tells Andromache that he is alive and asks about her fate after Hector
and her marriage relation to Pyrrhus.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Andromache describes being taken from the burning land over foreign seas,
enduring Pyrrhus, bearing children in slavery, and later being given to Helenus.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Andromache states that Orestes killed Neoptolemus/Pyrrhus at ancestral altars
because of desire for his stolen bride and under the furies of crime.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: After Neoptolemus' death, Helenus received part of the realm, named places
after Trojan figures, and built a Pergama and Ilian citadel on hills.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Andromache asks how winds, fates, or divinity brought Aeneas to the coast
and asks whether Ascanius is alive.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Helenus approaches with a company, recognizes the Trojans as kin, and leads
them joyfully to his gates.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Aeneas recognizes a small copy of Troy, including a Pergama, a dry brook called
Xanthus, and a Scaean gateway.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Helenus entertains the Trojans in colonnades; wine is poured in libation and
a feast is served on gold.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: Aeneas asks Helenus, as an interpreter of the gods, to tell him what dangers
to avoid and what guidance will help him overcome his labours.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:14
text: Aeneas mentions that previous divine signs favoured his course toward Italy,
while Celaeno the Harpy had prophesied portents and hunger.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: Helenus performs sacrifice with steers, removes consecration chaplets, leads
Aeneas to Phoebus' courts, and begins to utter prophecy while filled with the
deity.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Aeneas
description: Narrating Trojan leader who approaches Andromache, identifies himself
as alive, enters Helenus' town, and asks Helenus for prophetic guidance.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Andromache
description: Former wife of Hector, encountered at rites for Hector; she recounts
captivity under Pyrrhus and transfer to Helenus, and asks about Ascanius.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Helenus
description: Son of Priam, ruler of a Trojan-named realm, host to Aeneas, and prophet/interpreter
of the gods who prepares to give an oracle.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Hector
description: Dead Trojan hero invoked by Andromache at an empty tomb bearing his
name; also named as Ascanius' uncle in Andromache's question.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Pyrrhus / Neoptolemus
description: Achilles' descendant who had power over Andromache, later sought Hermione
and was killed by Orestes at ancestral altars.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Orestes
description: Killer of Neoptolemus/Pyrrhus, described as inflamed with desire for
a stolen bride and driven by furies of crime.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Ascanius
description: Aeneas' son, asked about by Andromache as a child who may still live
and draw breath.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Phoebus
description: God associated with Helenus' prophetic authority, tripods, laurels,
and courts.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Celaeno the Harpy
description: Harpy named by Aeneas as having prophesied strange portents, wrath,
bale, and foul hunger.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: wandering petitioner for guidance
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Aeneas asks which perils to avoid and by what guidance he may overcome his
labours.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:2
label: mourner at symbolic tomb
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Andromache performs libation, calls Hector's ghost, and weeps at an empty
tomb with altars.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: Trojan ruler and host
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Helenus rules the land, recognizes kin, brings them to his gates, and entertains
them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: prophet and interpreter of gods
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Aeneas addresses Helenus as interpreter of the gods, and Helenus performs
ritual before uttering prophecy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:5
label: goddess-born survivor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Andromache addresses Aeneas as goddess-born and asks whether he is alive;
Aeneas confirms that he lives through extremities.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: captive transferred between masters
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Andromache describes slavery under Pyrrhus and being passed to Helenus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: dead beloved invoked by rites
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Hector's ghost is called to a named empty tomb by Andromache.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:8
label: former captor and slain ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Pyrrhus is described as Achilles' seed who held Andromache and was later
murdered by Orestes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: avenger or rival killer over bride
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Orestes is said to be driven by desire for his stolen bride and to murder
Neoptolemus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: absent child of concern
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Andromache asks whether Ascanius still lives and whether he is stirred by
his father and uncle's example.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:11
label: divine source of prophecy
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Helenus' prophetic senses and ritual setting are associated with Phoebus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:12
label: ominous prior prophet
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Celaeno is named as prophesying strange portents, wrath, harm, and hunger.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: feigned Simoïs waters
literal_form: waters of a feigned Simoïs near Andromache's grove
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: empty named tomb and two altars
literal_form: empty turfed tomb with Hector's name and two consecrated altars
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: burning homeland
literal_form: burning land from which Andromache says the captives sailed
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: little Troy
literal_form: copy of Pergama, dry brook called Xanthus, and Scaean gateway
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: libation wine
literal_form: goblets of wine poured in libation during Helenus' hospitality
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: Phoebus' prophetic implements
literal_form: tripods, laurels, stars, bird tongues, and auguries of prosperous
flight named in Aeneas' address
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: sacrificial steers and consecration chaplets
literal_form: steers offered in sacrifice and chaplets unbound from Helenus' head
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Aeneas hears of Helenus and Andromache
summary: Aeneas hears an astonishing report that Helenus rules Greek towns and that
Andromache is married among Trojans, prompting his desire to meet them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Andromache's rites for Hector
summary: In a grove by the feigned Simoïs, Andromache performs libations and calls
Hector's ghost at an empty tomb with altars, then reacts in terror and grief upon
seeing Aeneas.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Andromache recounts captivity and new settlement
summary: Andromache tells Aeneas of her enslavement, Pyrrhus' marriage pursuit,
her transfer to Helenus, Orestes' killing of Pyrrhus, and Helenus' establishment
of a Trojan-named realm.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Questions about Aeneas' arrival and Ascanius
summary: Andromache asks by what winds, fates, or divinity Aeneas arrived and asks
whether Ascanius still lives and is inspired by his father and Hector.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Welcome into recreated Troy
summary: Helenus recognizes Aeneas and the Trojans as kin, brings them into his
town, and Aeneas observes a small copy of Troy with Trojan place names.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Hospitality and libation feast
summary: Helenus hosts the Trojans in spacious colonnades, where wine libations
are poured and a feast is served.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Aeneas seeks prophecy from Helenus
summary: Before departure, Aeneas asks Helenus, interpreter of the gods, for warnings
and guidance, noting both favourable divine signs toward Italy and Celaeno's threatening
prophecy.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:8
label: Sacrifice before prophecy
summary: Helenus performs sacrifice, removes consecration chaplets, leads Aeneas
to Phoebus' courts, and begins to speak prophetic words under divine influence.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: mourning rites at an empty or symbolic tomb
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Andromache pours libation, calls Hector's ghost, and weeps at an empty tomb
with altars.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The supplied taxonomy does not include a specific tomb-cult or mourning
motif family.
- id: motif:2
label: recreated homeland in exile
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: Helenus has built a Pergama and Ilian citadel, and Aeneas recognizes a small
copy of Troy with familiar Trojan names.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: This is not a full return to Troy but a displaced imitation of it.
- id: motif:3
label: captive woman passed through conquest and remarriage
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Andromache recounts captivity, slavery, children borne in bondage, and transfer
from Pyrrhus to Helenus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: No exact supplied taxonomy family for captivity or forced marriage.
- id: motif:4
label: stolen bride and violent rivalry
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: Orestes is described as inflamed by desire for his stolen bride and as murdering
Neoptolemus at ancestral altars.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The phrase is embedded in Andromache's account and concerns a secondary
episode within the passage.
- id: motif:5
label: divine parent-child identity of hero
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_parent_child
basis: Andromache addresses Aeneas as goddess-born when asking whether he is a real
living messenger.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage names Aeneas as goddess-born but does not elaborate the parent-child
relationship.
- id: motif:6
label: quest for prophetic guidance before departure
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
- wisdom
basis: Aeneas prepares to sail and asks Helenus, interpreter of the gods, what dangers
to avoid and how to overcome future labours.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The prophecy itself begins after the supplied excerpt; only the request
and ritual preparation are included here.
- id: motif:7
label: sacrifice as preparation for oracle
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- wisdom
basis: Helenus sacrifices steers, removes consecration chaplets, leads Aeneas to
Phoebus' courts, and begins to speak prophecy under divine influence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The content of the oracle is outside this passage range.
- id: motif:8
label: ominous hunger prophecy recalled during journey
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Aeneas recalls Celaeno the Harpy's prophecy of strange portents, wrath, harm,
and foul hunger.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The omen is only summarized by Aeneas in this passage and not narrated
directly.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 1764-1772 / Aeneid 3.294-302
quote_or_summary: Aeneas hears the astonishing report that Helenus son of Priam
rules Greek towns and that Andromache has again come to a husband of her people;
he leaves the harbour to meet them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 1772-1785 / Aeneid 3.303-313
quote_or_summary: Andromache pours libation in a grove by the waters of a feigned
Simoïs, calls Hector's ghost to an empty named tomb with two altars, sees Aeneas,
becomes terror-stricken, faints, and asks whether he is truly alive and where
Hector is.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 1786-1794 / Aeneid 3.314-323
quote_or_summary: Aeneas says he lives through extremities and asks what fate has
received Andromache after Hector, including whether she keeps marriage bonds with
Pyrrhus.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 1795-1815 / Aeneid 3.324-343
quote_or_summary: Andromache contrasts her fate with Priam's daughter who died at
Troy, then recounts sailing from the burning land, captivity and slavery under
Pyrrhus, his pursuit of Hermione, her transfer to Helenus, Orestes' killing of
Neoptolemus over a stolen bride, and Helenus' new Trojan-named realm.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 1815-1822 / Aeneid 3.343-351
quote_or_summary: Andromache asks what winds, fates, or divinity brought Aeneas
to the coast and asks whether Ascanius still lives and is stirred by Aeneas and
Hector.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 1823-1831 / Aeneid 3.352-359
quote_or_summary: Helenus approaches with a company, recognizes Aeneas and the Trojans
as kin, leads them to his gates, and Aeneas recognizes a little Troy with a copy
of Pergama, a dry brook called Xanthus, and a Scaean gateway.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 1831-1835 / Aeneid 3.359-363
quote_or_summary: The Trojans celebrate in the friendly town; the king entertains
them in spacious colonnades, wine is poured in libation, and a feast is served
on gold.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 1836-1854 / Aeneid 3.364-377
quote_or_summary: As sailing weather rises, Aeneas asks Helenus, called interpreter
of the gods and open to Phoebus' signs, to reveal what perils to avoid and what
guidance can overcome his labours; he also recalls favourable divine counsel toward
Italy and Celaeno the Harpy's ominous prophecy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 1855-1861 / Aeneid 3.378-396
quote_or_summary: Helenus seeks divine favour with sacrifice of steers, unbinds
consecration chaplets, leads Aeneas to Phoebus' courts, and begins to utter prophetic
words from augural lips while filled with the deity.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The passage clearly supports the figures, ritual actions, exile setting,
recreated Troy, and prophetic consultation. Motif mapping is limited to the supplied
taxonomy where appropriate; no comparison claims are made because the excerpt
does not itself establish cross-traditional comparison.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only supplied passage text and metadata. Taxonomy references are included only where supported by explicit passage content.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg__l1764-l1832
passage_sha256=6b251326ef88c6d140fb8a3c8107f145ca62a6f578d81403672f275b18dcb6dd