batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l4995-l5084
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l4995-l5084
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK SEVENTH / THE LANDING IN LATIUM, AND THE ROLL OF THE ARMIES OF ITALY
/ BOOK EIGHTH / THE EMBASSAGE TO EVANDER; lines 4995-5084
start: '4995'
end: '5084'
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: Turnus raises war in Latium, and Aeneas, troubled by the threat, sleeps
on the bank of the Tiber. The river-god Tiber appears, reassures him that Latium
is his destined home, gives the omen of a white sow with thirty white young as
a sign of Ascanius' future founding of Alba, and directs him to seek alliance
with Evander's Arcadians. Aeneas prays to the river and nymphs, sacrifices the
sow and her brood to Juno, and travels upriver on waters calmed by Tiber toward
Evander's town, the future site of Rome.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Turnus raises a flag of war on Laurentum's towers, trumpets sound, and Latium
prepares for armed conflict.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Messapus, Ufens, and Mezentius enroll forces, while Venulus is sent to seek
aid from Diomede.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Aeneas is anxious about the war and lies down to sleep on the bank of the
river under the night sky.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The Tiber appears to Aeneas in an aged form among poplar boughs, with reeds
in his hair.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Tiber tells Aeneas that Latium is his assured home and that the wrath of the
gods has passed away.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: 'Tiber gives Aeneas a sign: a white sow under oaks on the shore, with a white
litter of thirty young.'
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Tiber says the sign corresponds to Ascanius founding Alba after thirty revolving
years.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Tiber instructs Aeneas to ally with the Arcadian people under Evander and
says he will guide Aeneas upriver.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: After waking, Aeneas lifts river water in his palms and prays to the Laurentine
nymphs and father Tiber.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Aeneas finds the white sow and white brood and offers them in sacrifice to
Juno.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: Tiber quiets and smooths his waters so that Aeneas' ships can row upstream
with less labor.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:12
text: Aeneas and his companions travel upriver through wooded reaches and approach
Evander's town, identified by the narrator as the later site of Rome's greatness.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Turnus
description: Leader who raises the flag of war at Laurentum and stirs Latium to
arms.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Aeneas
description: Trojan leader described as of divine family and goddess-born; he receives
Tiber's message, prays, sacrifices, and journeys upriver.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Tiber
description: River-god who appears in aged form, speaks prophecy and instruction,
receives prayer, and calms his stream.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Juno
description: Goddess whose wrath is to be addressed with prayers and to whom Aeneas
offers the sow and offspring.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Ascanius
description: Aeneas' descendant or son named in Tiber's prophecy as the future founder
of Alba after thirty years.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Evander
description: King of the Arcadian people settled at Pallanteum, whom Tiber identifies
as a desired ally for Aeneas.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:10
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Arcadian people
description: People sprung of Pallas, following Evander, at war with the Latin race
and recommended as allies.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: White sow and white brood
description: A great white sow with thirty white newborn young, found under oaks
on the shore and later sacrificed.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Venulus
description: Messenger sent to the town of Diomede to seek support against the Teucrians.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Diomede
description: Figure from whom Venulus is sent to seek succour.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
roles:
- id: role:1
label: war initiator
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Turnus raises the flag of war and provokes armed mobilization in Latium.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: troubled hero receiving divine guidance
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Aeneas is distressed by war, sleeps by the river, and receives Tiber's instruction.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: river deity and prophetic guide
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Tiber appears, names himself, gives prophecy, and promises to lead Aeneas
by his stream.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: goddess to be appeased
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Tiber tells Aeneas to address Juno with prayers, and Aeneas sacrifices the
sow to her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: future city founder
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Tiber says Ascanius will found Alba after thirty years.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: recipient of future sacrifice
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Tiber tells Aeneas to pay him sacrifice as conqueror, and Aeneas promises
worship and gifts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: ritual petitioner
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Aeneas lifts river water in his palms, prays to nymphs and Tiber, and offers
sacrifice to Juno.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:8
label: prospective ally
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:7
basis: Tiber instructs Aeneas to join the Arcadians under Evander in league.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: prophetic omen and sacrificial victim
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The sow and litter are foretold as a confirming token and then offered in
sacrifice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: envoy seeking military aid
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Venulus is sent to Diomede's town to seek succour.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:11
label: potential external ally
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Diomede is the figure from whom aid is sought.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: river water
literal_form: Tiber's stream, flood, pool, and holy water lifted in Aeneas' palms
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: sym:2
label: white sow with thirty white young
literal_form: A white sow under oaks with a new-born litter of thirty white offspring
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: number thirty
literal_form: Thirty young and thirty revolving years
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: trees and reeds at the river
literal_form: Poplar boughs, shadowy reeds, oaks on the shore, and wooded river
reaches
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:9
- id: sym:5
label: war flag and trumpets
literal_form: Flag of war on Laurentum's towers and trumpets sounding harsh music
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:6
label: future city site
literal_form: Fortress walls and scattered roofs where Rome later rises, then Evander's
slender state
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:7
label: sacrificial altar
literal_form: Juno's altar before which Aeneas sets the sow and offspring
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Latium mobilizes for war
summary: Turnus raises war signals, leaders gather forces, and Venulus is sent to
seek Diomede's support against Aeneas and the Teucrians.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Aeneas sleeps by the Tiber
summary: Aeneas, troubled by coming warfare, lies on the riverbank at night and
falls asleep under the open sky.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Tiber's apparition and prophecy
summary: The river-god Tiber appears in aged form, reassures Aeneas, announces the
white sow omen and Ascanius' future founding of Alba, and directs Aeneas to seek
Evander's alliance.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Prayer and preparation
summary: Aeneas wakes, prays with river water in his hands to the nymphs and Tiber,
and prepares two armed galleys.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Fulfilled omen and sacrifice
summary: Aeneas finds the white sow with its white brood and sacrifices them to
Juno.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Upriver journey to Evander
summary: Tiber calms the water, and Aeneas' vessels row upstream through woodland
until they approach Evander's settlement at the later site of Rome.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine river apparition gives guidance to a troubled hero
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Tiber appears to Aeneas during sleep, reassures him, prophesies, and gives
practical instructions for alliance and travel.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy reference is broad; the passage emphasizes divine instruction
rather than abstract wisdom.
- id: motif:2
label: prophetic animal omen linked to future city founding
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: The white sow and thirty young are given as a confirming sign that Ascanius
will found Alba after thirty years.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage concerns dynastic and urban destiny; it does not explicitly
describe a coronation or legal royal accession.
- id: motif:3
label: appeasement and reciprocity with divine powers through prayer and sacrifice
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- sacred_exchange
basis: Tiber commands prayers to Juno, Aeneas prays to Tiber and the nymphs, promises
worship and gifts, and sacrifices the sow and brood to Juno.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The exchange is ritual and devotional; specific outcomes are partly embedded
in the divine guidance already given.
- id: motif:4
label: alliance with a neighboring people as divinely directed strategy
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: Tiber instructs Aeneas to take Evander's Arcadians into alliance and join
with them in league.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives the instruction to form a league but does not yet narrate
the alliance being concluded.
- id: motif:5
label: protected journey by water toward a destined ally and city site
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: Aeneas selects ships, Tiber calms the current, and the party travels upriver
to Evander's settlement at the future site of Rome.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The journey is tactical and divinely aided; the broader journey pattern
must be confirmed from the surrounding epic.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 4995-5084, opening war mobilization paragraph
quote_or_summary: Turnus raises the war flag at Laurentum; trumpets sound; Latium
arms; Messapus, Ufens, and Mezentius recruit forces; Venulus is sent to Diomede
for aid.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 4995-5084, Aeneas at night by the river
quote_or_summary: Aeneas sees the turmoil, is sick at heart over the war, lies on
the riverbank beneath the cold sky, and sleep comes over him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: quote
locator: 4995-5084, Tiber apparition
quote_or_summary: '"the very god of the ground, the pleasant Tiber stream," raises
an aged form among poplars, with reeds hiding his hair.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 4995-5084, Tiber's reassurance
quote_or_summary: Tiber addresses Aeneas as born of divine family, says Latium is
his assured home, and says the anger and wrath of the gods has passed away.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: 4995-5084, Tiber's omen
quote_or_summary: A "great sow" will lie under oaks with "her new-born litter of
thirty"; white sow and white brood signify that in thirty years Ascanius will
found Alba.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt and summary.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 4995-5084, Tiber's instructions
quote_or_summary: Tiber identifies Evander's Arcadians at Pallanteum as enemies
of the Latins and tells Aeneas to join them in league; Tiber will lead him upstream,
and Aeneas should pray to Juno and later sacrifice to Tiber.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 4995-5084, Aeneas wakes and prays
quote_or_summary: Aeneas wakes, faces sunrise, holds river water in his hollowed
palms, prays to the Laurentine nymphs and father Tiber, promises worship and gifts,
then chooses and arms two galleys.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 4995-5084, sow found and sacrificed
quote_or_summary: The milk-white sow and white brood are seen on the green bank;
Aeneas offers the sow to Juno and sets her with her offspring before Juno's altar.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 4995-5084, Tiber calms the river and voyage begins
quote_or_summary: Tiber quiets his swelling stream like a still pool to spare the
oars; Aeneas' boats travel by water through wooded reaches for a night and a day.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 4995-5084, approach to Evander's town
quote_or_summary: The travelers see distant walls and roofs where Rome will later
rise high; at that time Evander holds only a slender state, and the ships draw
near the town.
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: Passage-level extraction is well supported by the supplied text. Motif taxonomy
assignments are cautious and limited to available references. 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: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used. Empty comparison_claims reflects lack of passage-internal comparative evidence.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg__l4995-l5084
passage_sha256=d9f92e3cb06294f3f6b723ed87e47608169fc52380e371595b37c8d59b363309