batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l2749-l2841
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l2749-l2841
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK FOURTH / THE LOVE OF DIDO, AND HER END / BOOK FIFTH / THE GAMES OF THE
FLEET; lines 2749-2841
start: '2749'
end: '2841'
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 and the Trojan fleet leave Carthage, see the blaze of Dido's funeral
fire, meet stormy weather, and divert to Sicily. Acestes welcomes them. At the
anniversary of Anchises' death, Aeneas announces rites, sacrifices, and funeral
games. At Anchises' tomb he makes libations; a great serpent emerges, tastes the
offerings, and returns beneath the tomb. Aeneas interprets the sign uncertainly
and performs further sacrifices while invoking Anchises' soul.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Aeneas and his fleet sail away and see a broad blaze from the city associated
with Elissa's funeral flame.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Storm clouds, night, and rough sea surround the ships after land disappears.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Palinurus advises that the fleet cannot reach Italy under the weather and
should turn toward Sicilian shores and a haven near Eryx.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Aeneas agrees to change course and chooses the land associated with Acestes
and Anchises' dust.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Acestes, described as of Trojan maternal descent and linked to the river Crimisus,
welcomes and provisions the arrivals.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Aeneas gathers his comrades and marks the yearly anniversary since Anchises'
remains were laid in earth.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Aeneas orders sacrifice, prayers for winds, and contests including ship-racing,
foot-racing, archery, and boxing with raw-hide gloves.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Aeneas and others crown or shroud their brows with myrtle or boughs before
proceeding to the tomb.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: At the tomb Aeneas pours libations of wine, milk, and consecrated blood, adds
blossoms, and greets Anchises' ashes, soul, and shade.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: A snake emerges from beneath the sanctuary, coils around the grave, moves
among the altars and vessels, tastes the feast, and returns harmlessly beneath
the tomb.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Aeneas is unsure whether the snake is the Genius of the place or a servant
of his father.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: After the serpent appears, Aeneas sacrifices sheep, swine, and dark-backed
steers while pouring wine and calling on Anchises' soul and ghost.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: The companions add gifts to the altars, kill steers, prepare cauldrons, and
roast flesh for a communal feast.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Aeneas
description: Leader of the Trojan fleet who decides the course, addresses the people,
performs rites at Anchises' tomb, and reacts to the serpent sign.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Palinurus
description: Master of the fleet who reads the storm and advises turning toward
Sicily.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Acestes
description: Host on Sicily, armed and wearing a Libyan she-bear skin, born of a
Trojan mother and linked to the river Crimisus; he welcomes and provisions the
Trojans.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Anchises
description: Aeneas' deceased father whose dust, ashes, soul, shade, and ghost are
invoked at the tomb.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Trojan comrades / people of Dardanus
description: The fleet's people who are addressed by Aeneas, invited to sacrifice
and games, and later bring offerings and prepare the feast.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Elissa / Dido
description: The passage refers to her funeral flame visible from the departing
fleet.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Serpent at Anchises' tomb
description: A large, harmless snake with seven coils and gold-bright scales that
circles the grave, tastes the feast, and returns beneath the tomb.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Ascanius, Helymus, and Aletes
description: Named participants who follow Aeneas in wearing myrtle or boughs during
the ritual.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Neptune and Jupiter
description: Gods named in Palinurus' speech about the storm and hopes for reaching
Italy.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
roles:
- id: role:1
label: voyaging leader and ritual officiant
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Aeneas changes course, gathers the Trojans, announces rites and games, and
performs libations and sacrifices at the tomb.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:2
label: navigator / master of the fleet
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Palinurus is called master of the fleet and gives weather-based sailing advice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: kinsman host
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Acestes is of Trojan descent, welcomes the fleet, and provides hospitality
and sacrificial animals.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: deceased father and recipient of ancestral rites
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Anchises' dust, ashes, soul, shade, and ghost are addressed through anniversary
ritual at his tomb.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: son honoring father
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Aeneas calls Anchises his divine father and performs annual rites at his
tomb.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: ritual participants
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:8
basis: The companions are summoned to sacrifice and games, wear boughs, bring offerings,
and share in the feast.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: dead beloved / funeral figure
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The fleet sees Elissa's funeral flame as it leaves the city.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:8
label: grave-associated serpent sign
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The serpent emerges from beneath the sanctuary, circles the grave, tastes
offerings, and returns beneath the tomb; Aeneas considers it connected with the
place or Anchises.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: invoked weather-related deities
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Palinurus addresses Neptune and mentions Jupiter's warrant while assessing
the storm.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: funeral flame
literal_form: Broad blaze / funeral flame visible from Elissa's city
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: storm sea
literal_form: Deep sea, waves, storm-clouds, night, and shifting winds
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: fleet / weary ships
literal_form: Aeneas' ships sailing, diverting, and landing at the familiar beach
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: tomb and ashes of Anchises
literal_form: Tomb, dust, ashes, soul, shade, and ghost of Anchises
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: libation liquids
literal_form: Two goblets each of pure wine, new milk, and consecrated blood poured
at the tomb
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- milk
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: myrtle and boughs
literal_form: Myrtle and boughs worn on the brows during the rites
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: serpent at the grave
literal_form: Snake with seven vast coils, green chequered body, gold-bright spotted
scales, moving around the grave and altars
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:8
label: sacrificial animals and feast
literal_form: Oxen, sheep, swine, dark-backed steers, cauldrons, embers, spits,
and roasted flesh
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: sym:9
label: funeral games
literal_form: Contests of ships, running, archery, and boxing, with prizes and palm
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Departure from Carthage and sight of funeral flame
summary: Aeneas' fleet sails away while the city behind them gleams with Elissa's
funeral flame, prompting gloomy guesses among the Trojans.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Storm and course change
summary: Storm-darkened sea and sky threaten the fleet; Palinurus advises following
fortune to Sicily, and Aeneas agrees to steer toward the land of Acestes and Anchises'
tomb.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Landing and hospitality of Acestes
summary: The fleet lands on the familiar beach, and Acestes comes from a hilltop
to welcome and provision the Trojans.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Announcement of Anchises' anniversary rites and games
summary: Aeneas addresses the Dardanian people, identifies the day as the annual
observance for Anchises, orders sacrifices and prayers for winds, and announces
athletic and martial contests.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Libations at the tomb
summary: Aeneas and named participants wear myrtle or boughs; at the tomb Aeneas
pours wine, milk, and blood, offers blossoms, and greets Anchises' ashes and shade.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Serpent omen and renewed sacrifice
summary: A serpent emerges from beneath the sanctuary, circles the grave and altars,
tastes the feast, and returns beneath the tomb; Aeneas, uncertain of its identity,
makes additional sacrifices and invokes Anchises while the companions prepare
offerings and a feast.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: storm-driven diversion of a heroic voyage
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The fleet is already in passage when storm, wind, and Palinurus' counsel
force a turn from Italy toward Sicily.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage shows continued travel and diversion rather than an initial
departure episode.
- id: motif:2
label: ancestral anniversary rites at a tomb
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- divine_parent_child
basis: Aeneas marks the yearly date for Anchises, calls him divine father, offers
libations and sacrifices, and invokes his soul and ghost.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy does not include a specific ancestor-cult category; assigned
references are broader motif families.
- id: motif:3
label: serpent sign at a grave or sacred place
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: A great serpent emerges from beneath the sanctuary, circles Anchises' grave,
tastes offerings, and returns beneath the tomb; Aeneas considers it either the
Genius of the ground or his father's attendant.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents Aeneas' interpretation as uncertain.
- id: motif:4
label: funeral games in honor of the dead
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Aeneas announces ship-racing, foot-racing, archery, and boxing as part of
the annual observance for Anchises.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy has no exact funeral-games reference; linked to
sacrifice only because the games are embedded in ritual observance.
- id: motif:5
label: hospitality from a kin-related local ruler after landing
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: Acestes, described as of Trojan parentage, recognizes the visitors' return,
welcomes them, and provides food and supplies after the fleet lands.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The return is to a familiar Sicilian shore, not the final homeland or
destination.
- id: motif:6
label: funeral fire seen from the departing ship
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
basis: The departing Trojans see Elissa's funeral flame blazing from the city behind
them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not narrate the death itself, only the visible flame
and the Trojans' reaction.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 2749-2756
quote_or_summary: Aeneas and the fleet hold mid passage, look back on the city gleaming
with hapless Elissa's funeral flame, and the Trojans make gloomy guesses about
the blaze.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 2757-2773
quote_or_summary: With no land in sight, storm-clouds, night, and rough waves surround
the ships. Palinurus, master of the fleet, addresses Neptune and advises that
Italy cannot be reached under such sky; he proposes turning toward the Sicilian
haven near Eryx.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 2774-2783
quote_or_summary: Aeneas agrees the winds make resistance vain and orders the course
turned toward the land where Acestes can greet him and where Anchises' dust is
held.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 2784-2795
quote_or_summary: The fleet lands joyfully on the familiar beach. Acestes comes
from a hilltop, armed and wearing a Libyan she-bear skin; he is described as born
of a Trojan mother and connected with the Crimisus river, and he welcomes and
sustains the arrivals.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 2796-2822
quote_or_summary: At dawn Aeneas gathers the Dardanian people, names the yearly
completion since Anchises' remains were buried, calls for sacrifice and prayers
for winds, says Acestes gives oxen for each ship, and ordains contests in ships,
running, archery, and boxing.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 2823-2831
quote_or_summary: Aeneas covers his brows with his mother's myrtle; Helymus, Aletes,
Ascanius, and the people follow. At the tomb he pours two goblets each of wine,
milk, and consecrated blood, adds blossoms, and greets Anchises' ashes, soul,
and shade.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 2832-2838
quote_or_summary: A snake slides from beneath the sanctuary in seven coils, circles
the grave, glides among the altars, shows green and gold-bright scales, tastes
the feast, and returns harmlessly beneath the tomb.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 2839-2841
quote_or_summary: Aeneas is unsure whether the serpent is the Genius of the ground
or his father's ministrant; he sacrifices sheep, swine, and dark-backed steers,
pours wine, calls on Anchises' soul and ghost, while comrades add gifts, slaughter
steers, and roast flesh.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the supplied passage. Motif taxonomy
assignments are cautious because several passage features, such as ancestor cult
and funeral games, lack exact available taxonomy labels. No comparison claims
were added because the passage itself does not explicitly compare traditions or
motif families.
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 the supplied passage and metadata. Public-domain passage was summarized rather than extensively quoted.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg__l2749-l2841
passage_sha256=9925c37917f97824542d00e764fcb18b881d4acc97e51e144bc95c18cbfafdb0