batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l2843-l2858
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l2843-l2858
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 2843-2858
start: '2843'
end: '2858'
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: On the ninth dawn, people gather on the shore for games associated with
Aeneas' men and Acestes. Prizes are displayed, a trumpet announces the games,
and the first contest is a rowing race among four ships commanded by Mnestheus,
Gyas, Sergestus, and Cloanthus. Several commanders are linked genealogically to
later Roman families.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The desired day arrives on the ninth dawn, described as clear and bright.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The name and renown of Acestes draw bordering people to the shore.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: A holiday crowd fills the shore to see Aeneas' men, with some people ready
to compete.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Prizes are displayed in the middle of the racecourse, including sacrificial
tripods, garlands, palms, armour, purple-dyed garments, and silver and gold.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: A trumpet sounds from a hillock in the middle, announcing that the games have
begun.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The first contest is rowing, with four ships of matched weight chosen from
the fleet.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Mnestheus commands the swift Dragon with keen oarsmen.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Gyas commands the huge Chimaera, described as a floating town with a triple-tiered
Dardanian crew rowing in three ranks.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Sergestus sails in the tall Centaur.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Cloanthus sails in the sea-coloured Scylla.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Mnestheus, Sergestus, and Cloanthus are each connected to later Roman family
names.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Acestes
description: An illustrious figure whose name and renown have stirred up the bordering
people.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Aeneas' men
description: The group whom the crowd gathers to see at the shore during the games.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Bordering people / holiday throng
description: People from surrounding areas who fill the shore; some are ready to
join contests.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Mnestheus
description: Commander of the swift Dragon; identified as ancestor-name of the Memmian
family.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Gyas
description: Commander of the huge Chimaera.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Dardanian crew of the Chimaera
description: A triple-tiered crew rowing in three ranks aboard the Chimaera.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Sergestus
description: Commander sailing in the tall Centaur; associated with the Sergian
house.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Cloanthus
description: Commander sailing in the sea-coloured Scylla; associated with the family
of Cluentius of Rome.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: renowned local figure
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: His name and renown stir up people from the borders.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: spectacle participants
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The crowd comes to see Aeneas' men during the games.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: festival spectators and possible contestants
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: They fill the shore as a holiday throng, and some are ready to join contests.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: ship commander in rowing contest
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
basis: Each named man is linked to one of the four ships entering the rowing contest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: eponymous ancestor or name-source of Roman family
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:7
- fig:8
basis: The passage connects these commanders' names to the Memmian family, Sergian
house, and family of Cluentius of Rome.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: rowers
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The Chimaera's Dardanian crew urge the ship on with oars.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: shore
literal_form: shore filled by the holiday throng
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: racecourse prizes
literal_form: sacrificial tripods, green garlands, palms, armour, purple-dyed garments,
talents of silver and gold
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: trumpet
literal_form: trumpet sounding from a hillock to begin the games
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: Dragon ship
literal_form: swift ship named Dragon
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: Chimaera ship
literal_form: huge ship named Chimaera, described as a floating town
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: Centaur ship
literal_form: tall ship named Centaur
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: Scylla ship
literal_form: sea-coloured ship named Scylla
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Gathering for the games
summary: On the ninth dawn, people gather on the shore because of Acestes' renown,
forming a holiday crowd to watch Aeneas' men and contests.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Prizes displayed and games announced
summary: Prizes are set out in the racecourse, and a trumpet sounds from a hillock
to signal the start of the games.
figure_refs: []
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Opening rowing contest
summary: The first contest is rowing; four ships from the fleet enter with named
commanders and crews.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: Genealogical naming of Roman families
summary: The passage links several Trojan or epic figures in the boat race to later
Roman families by name.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: funeral or festival games with public contests and prizes
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A crowd gathers for games; prizes are displayed; a trumpet begins the event;
the first contest is a rowing race.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The excerpt itself does not state the broader ritual occasion beyond the
games and holiday crowd.
- id: motif:2
label: contest by ships on water
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The first event is a rowing contest among four selected ships of matched
weight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: Only the start and competitors of the contest are included in this passage;
no outcome is given.
- id: motif:3
label: ancestral naming of later Roman lineages
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Mnestheus, Sergestus, and Cloanthus are presented as name-sources or ancestral
links for later Roman families.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: 'The available taxonomy label is broader than the passage evidence: the
passage supports lineage legitimation, but does not explicitly discuss kingship
or royal authority.'
- id: motif:4
label: ships bearing mythic creature names
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The rowing ships are named Dragon, Chimaera, Centaur, and Scylla.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage treats these as ship names; it does not narrate encounters
with the mythic beings themselves.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 2843-2847
quote_or_summary: The ninth dawn arrives clear and bright; Acestes' renown draws
bordering people, and a holiday crowd fills the shore to see Aeneas' men and possible
contestants.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 2847-2851
quote_or_summary: 'Prizes are displayed in the racecourse: sacrificial tripods,
garlands, palms, armour, purple garments, and silver and gold; a trumpet sounds
from a hillock to begin the games.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 2851-2853
quote_or_summary: The first contest is rowing, and four ships of matched weight,
chosen from the fleet, enter.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 2853-2855
quote_or_summary: Mnestheus' oarsmen drive the swift Dragon; Mnestheus is linked
by name to the Memmian family.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 2855-2856
quote_or_summary: Gyas commands the huge Chimaera, a 'floating town,' propelled
by a triple-tiered Dardanian crew rowing in three ranks.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short public-domain phrase included.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 2856-2857
quote_or_summary: Sergestus, linked to the Sergian house, sails in the tall Centaur.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 2857-2858
quote_or_summary: Cloanthus sails in the sea-coloured Scylla and is associated with
the family of Cluentius of Rome.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Literal extraction is straightforward. Motif taxonomy mapping is limited
because the passage mainly describes games, ship names, and genealogical naming;
the only available taxonomy reference used is broader than the immediate evidence.
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: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not make an explicit cross-tradition or motif-family comparison.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg__l2843-l2858
passage_sha256=8209c8934228901f79cdf00b8752e9b457953a050907a96852e19e001d8a55b6