batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l3131-l3185
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l3131-l3185
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 3131-3185
start: '3131'
end: '3185'
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: 'During funeral games, Entellus kills an ox as an offering to Eryx after
sparing Dares. Aeneas then holds an archery contest using a pigeon tied to a ship’s
mast as the target. The contestants shoot in order: Hippocoön hits the mast, Mnestheus
cuts the cord and frees the bird, Eurytion kills the pigeon, and Acestes shoots
after the prize is lost. Acestes’ arrow catches fire in the clouds like a shooting
star, and Aeneas interprets the omen as divine approval, awarding Acestes the
highest honour and a figured bowl associated with Anchises.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Entellus stands before the bullock, strikes it between the horns with a hard
gauntlet, and kills it.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Entellus dedicates the bullock’s life to Eryx as a better payment than Dares’
death and lays down his gloves and unconquered skill.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Aeneas announces an archery contest and sets a fluttering pigeon tied by a
cord to the masthead of Serestus’ ship as the target.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: The contestants’ lots are placed in a brass helmet; Hippocoön is first, Mnestheus
second, Eurytion third, and Acestes last.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Hippocoön’s arrow strikes and sticks in the mast, causing the mast to quiver
and the bird to flutter in fear.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Mnestheus’ arrow cuts the hempen bands binding the pigeon’s foot, and the
bird flies into the clouds.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Eurytion prays to his brother, shoots the pigeon under a dark cloud, and the
bird falls dead carrying the arrow.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Acestes, though the prize is already lost, shoots an arrow upward to display
his skill.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Acestes’ flying arrow blazes in the clouds, traces a path in flame, and burns
away on the winds like a shooting star.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: Trinacrians and Trojans react with astonishment and prayer to the heavenly
powers.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: Aeneas accepts the omen, embraces Acestes, gives him gifts, crowns him with
green bay, and proclaims him first conqueror.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: Aeneas says the high King of heaven has willed Acestes to receive peculiar
honour and gives him a figured bowl once given by Cisseus of Thrace to Anchises.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:13
text: Eurytion, although he alone struck the bird down, does not begrudge Acestes
being preferred in honour.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Entellus
description: Contestant who strikes the bullock, dedicates its life to Eryx, and
lays down his gloves and skill.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Dares
description: Person whose death is said to have been avoided by recall and whose
spared life is contrasted with the bullock’s death.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Eryx
description: Named recipient of the bullock’s dedicated life.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Aeneas
description: Organizer of the archery contest who sets prizes, interprets the fiery
arrow as an omen, and honours Acestes.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Hippocoön son of Hyrtacus
description: First archer, whose arrow strikes the mast.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Mnestheus
description: Second archer, victor in the ship race, wearing a green olive chaplet;
his arrow cuts the cord binding the pigeon.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Eurytion
description: Third archer, brother of Pandarus, who prays to his brother and shoots
down the pigeon.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:13
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Pandarus
description: Eurytion’s brother, invoked by Eurytion in prayer; described as famed
for hurling the first shaft among the Achaeans after being prompted to shatter
the truce.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Acestes
description: Last archer, who shoots after the prize is lost; his arrow becomes
a fiery omen, and Aeneas honours him first.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Anchises
description: Aeneas’ father, associated with the figured bowl given as Acestes’
prize.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Cisseus of Thrace
description: Former giver of the figured bowl to Anchises as a token and reward
of affection.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: High King of heaven
description: Divine power whom Aeneas says has willed Acestes to receive special
honour through signs.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Trinacrians and Trojans
description: Groups who watch the fiery arrow, are astonished, and pray to heavenly
powers.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: victorious combatant and offerer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Entellus kills the bullock and dedicates its life to Eryx.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: spared opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The passage says Dares is saved by recall and that the bullock is a better
payment than Dares’ death.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: recipient of dedication
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Entellus explicitly gives the bullock’s life to Eryx.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: contest organizer
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Aeneas invites contestants, proclaims prizes, and sets up the target.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: omen interpreter and award-giver
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Aeneas accepts the omen and gives Acestes special honour and gifts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:6
label: archery contestant
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:9
basis: Each figure is named among those drawing lots and shooting arrows in the
contest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: invoked brother and prior archer
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Eurytion calls in prayer to his brother, and the passage recalls Pandarus’
earlier shaft among the Achaeans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: recipient of divine-sign honour
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Aeneas says the heavenly sign grants Acestes peculiar honour and proclaims
him first.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:9
label: ancestral donor association
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The bowl is given as if from Anchises’ own hand and is said to have once
belonged to him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: role:10
label: former gift-giver
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Cisseus of Thrace is said to have given the bowl to Anchises.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: role:11
label: divine source of omen
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Aeneas attributes the signs to the high King of heaven.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: role:12
label: astonished witnesses
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: The Trinacrians and Trojans are described as astonished and praying after
the fiery sign.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: bullock offering
literal_form: bullock/ox killed with a gauntlet and dedicated to Eryx
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: gloves laid down
literal_form: boxing gloves and unconquered skill laid down by Entellus
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: mast target
literal_form: mast of Serestus’ ship used to suspend the target pigeon
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: bound pigeon target
literal_form: fluttering pigeon tied by a cord to the masthead
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: brass helmet lots
literal_form: helmet of brass used to receive the archers’ lots
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: fiery arrow omen
literal_form: arrow blazing in the clouds, tracing flame, and burning away like
a shooting star
associated_figures:
- fig:9
- fig:4
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: sym:7
label: green bay crown
literal_form: green bay twined about Acestes’ brows
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:8
label: ancestral figured bowl
literal_form: bowl embossed with figures, once given by Cisseus of Thrace to Anchises
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:9
label: shooting star comparison
literal_form: stars shooting from their sphere and drawing a train across the sky
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Entellus dedicates the bullock to Eryx
summary: After Dares has been spared, Entellus kills the bullock with a gauntlet
blow and dedicates its life to Eryx while laying down his gloves and skill.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Aeneas prepares the archery contest
summary: Aeneas invites contestants to shoot arrows for prizes and sets a pigeon
tied to a ship’s mast as the target; the order is determined by lots in a brass
helmet.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: First three archery shots
summary: Hippocoön hits the mast, Mnestheus cuts the cord and frees the pigeon,
and Eurytion prays to his brother and shoots the pigeon down.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: Acestes’ fiery arrow and special award
summary: Acestes shoots into the air after the prize is lost; his arrow becomes
a fiery sign in the clouds. The spectators pray, and Aeneas interprets the sign
as divine will and awards Acestes first honour and ancestral gifts.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: substitutionary animal offering after spared human opponent
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Entellus says the bullock’s life is a better payment than Dares’ death and
dedicates it to Eryx.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents a dedication of life to Eryx, but does not provide
ritual details beyond the killing and speech.
- id: motif:2
label: competitive trial by archery
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Aeneas organizes an arrow contest with prizes, lots, a suspended target,
and ranked shots by named contestants.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: This is a contest pattern rather than one of the supplied taxonomy motif
families.
- id: motif:3
label: fiery projectile as divine omen
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
- divine_judgment
basis: Acestes’ arrow blazes in the clouds like a shooting star; witnesses pray,
and Aeneas accepts it as a sign from the high King of heaven granting special
honour.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: The passage supports divine-sign interpretation, but the exact future
meaning of the omen is only generally indicated as later understood by events
and seers.
- id: motif:4
label: divinely sanctioned reversal of contest ranking
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Although Eurytion struck down the bird, Aeneas gives first honour to Acestes
because of the fiery sign attributed to heaven.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not frame the sign as a judgment of guilt or innocence,
only as divine will regarding honour.
- id: motif:5
label: ancestral gift conferring honour
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Aeneas gives Acestes a figured bowl associated with Anchises and formerly
given by Cisseus as a token of affection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
confidence: medium
cautions: The gift is prestigious and ancestral, but the passage does not explicitly
call the exchange sacred.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 3131-3138
quote_or_summary: Entellus stands before the bullock and kills it by striking between
the horns with his hard gauntlet; the ox falls lifeless.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: 3138-3141
quote_or_summary: "“This life, Eryx, I give to thee, a better payment than Dares'
death; here I lay down my gloves and unconquered skill.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 3142-3146
quote_or_summary: Aeneas announces the arrow contest, raises the mast of Serestus’
ship, and hangs a fluttering pigeon from the masthead as the target.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 3146-3156
quote_or_summary: A brass helmet receives the lots; Hippocoön comes first, Mnestheus
second, Eurytion third, and Acestes last.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 3156-3162
quote_or_summary: Hippocoön’s arrow flies from the string, strikes fast in the mast’s
wood, and the bird flutters in fright as the crowd applauds.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 3162-3167
quote_or_summary: Mnestheus aims at the bird but cuts the hempen bands tying her
foot; the pigeon flies into the dark windy clouds.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 3167-3173
quote_or_summary: Eurytion calls in prayer to his brother and shoots the pigeon
under a dark cloud; she falls breathless with the arrow in her.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 3173-3175
quote_or_summary: Acestes remains after the prize is lost and shoots his arrow upward
to display his skill and bow.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: 3175-3180
quote_or_summary: "“the flying reed blazed out amid the swimming clouds, traced
its path in flame, and burned away on the light winds; even as often stars shooting
from their sphere draw a train athwart the sky.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 3180-3182
quote_or_summary: The Trinacrians and Trojans are astonished by the sign and pray
to the heavenly powers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 3182-3185
quote_or_summary: Aeneas accepts the omen, embraces Acestes, gives him lavish gifts,
crowns him with green bay, and proclaims him first conqueror.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: 3182-3185
quote_or_summary: Aeneas says the high King of heaven has willed Acestes to receive
special honour and grants him a figured bowl once given by Cisseus of Thrace to
Anchises.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: '3185'
quote_or_summary: Eurytion, though he alone struck down the bird, does not resent
Acestes being preferred; subsequent prizes go to the cord-cutter and mast-striker.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels are conservative;
no comparison claims are made because the passage itself does not support a specific
external 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: |-
Taxonomy references are limited to supplied refs; some symbol labels are passage-specific and therefore have empty taxonomy_refs.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg__l3131-l3185
passage_sha256=afeb2bffd1c7760a4c4159e0dfdd99f970e89fd72f6d381811b492c5342d286f