batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l6905-l6955
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l6905-l6955
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK NINTH / THE SIEGE OF THE TROJAN CAMP / BOOK TENTH / THE BATTLE ON THE
BEACH; lines 6905-6955
start: '6905'
end: '6955'
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: Jove prompts Mezentius to enter battle against the Teucrians. Mezentius
is compared to an immovable cliff, a bristling boar at bay, and a hungry lion
as he kills multiple opponents, takes spoils for Lausus, and defeats Acron and
Orodes. Orodes dies after warning Mezentius that he too will soon fall. The passage
ends with a rapid catalogue of further battlefield deaths by named warriors.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Jove prompts Mezentius to take his place in the battle and attack the triumphant
Teucrians.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The Tyrrhene ranks gather around Mezentius and shower darts on the opposing
force.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Mezentius is described through a simile as like a cliff standing immovable
against winds, sky, and sea.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Mezentius kills or disables Hebrus, Latagus, and Palmus, and gives Palmus's
armour and plumes to Lausus.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Mimas is identified as a fellow and birthmate of Paris, born on the same night
to Theano and Amycus, while Paris was born to Cisseus' daughter.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Mezentius is compared to a boar driven from mountain heights and marsh cover,
standing at bay while attackers keep their distance with darts and cries.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Acron is described as a Greek exile who had left a half-won bride, and Mezentius
sees him amid the ranks in crimson and purple gear.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Mezentius is compared to a hungry lion sighting prey, then darts among the
enemy and kills Acron.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Mezentius refuses to kill Orodes by a thrown weapon from behind and instead
meets him face to face in armed combat.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: The dying Orodes tells Mezentius that he will not rejoice long and that an
equal fate will soon make him lie in the same fields.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Mezentius answers Orodes by telling him to die and leaving Mezentius's fate
to the father of gods and king of men.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: A catalogue of additional deaths follows, naming several killers and victims
including Caedicus, Sacrator, Rapo, Messapus, Valerus, Salius, and Nealces.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Jove / father of gods and king of men
description: Divine figure who prompts Mezentius at the start of the passage and
is later named as the one to consider Mezentius's fate.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Mezentius
description: Fiery warrior who enters battle, withstands attacks, kills or disables
multiple enemies, gives armour to Lausus, kills Acron, and defeats Orodes in face-to-face
combat.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Tyrrhene ranks
description: Forces that gather around Mezentius and cast darts against the foe.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Teucrians
description: Opposing force described as triumphant and hated by the Tyrrhenes.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Lausus
description: Recipient of armour and plumes taken from Palmus by Mezentius.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Hebrus, Latagus, and Palmus
description: Named opponents struck down or disabled by Mezentius; Palmus's armour
and plumes are taken for Lausus.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Mimas
description: Phrygian fallen warrior, described as fellow and birthmate of Paris
and lying as a stranger on the Laurentian coast.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Paris
description: Birthmate of Mimas, called the firebrand, born on the same night as
Mimas.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Theano and Amycus
description: Parents of Mimas named in the account of his birth.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Cisseus' daughter / queen
description: Mother of Paris named in the account of his birth.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Acron the Greek
description: Greek exile from ancient Corythus, described as having left a half-won
bride; killed by Mezentius.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Orodes
description: Warrior defeated by Mezentius in face-to-face combat; while dying,
he predicts Mezentius's similar fate.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Later named battlefield killers and victims
description: Additional named warriors in the closing death catalogue, including
Caedicus, Alcathoüs, Sacrator, Hydaspes, Rapo, Parthenius, Orses, Messapus, Clonius,
Erichaetes, Agis, Valerus, Thronius, Salius, and Nealces.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine prompter
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Jove prompts Mezentius to enter the battle; Mezentius later refers his own
fate to the father of gods and king of men.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: central attacking warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Mezentius attacks, resists missiles, kills several named enemies, and dominates
the passage's battle action.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: supporting battle ranks
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The Tyrrhene ranks gather around Mezentius and cast darts in unison.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: battle victim or casualty
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
basis: The passage presents the Teucrians as attacked and names many warriors who
fall, are disabled, or are slain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: recipient of captured armour
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Mezentius gives Palmus's armour and plumes to Lausus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: killer in battlefield catalogue
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:13
basis: Mezentius kills multiple opponents, and the closing catalogue lists further
warriors killing named opponents.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: dying warner
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Orodes, while dying, warns Mezentius that an equal fate will soon overtake
him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: immovable cliff against sea and storm
literal_form: cliff jutting into waves, winds, sky, and sea
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: mountain rock used as weapon
literal_form: vast fragment of mountain rock
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: boar at bay
literal_form: boar driven by hounds from mountain heights and marsh, bristling and
snorting among nets
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: hungry lion over prey
literal_form: lion in deep coverts sighting roe or stag, mane raised and mouth bloody
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: captured armour and plumes
literal_form: armour and crest plumes taken from Palmus and given to Lausus
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:6
label: broken javelin covered with blood
literal_form: broken javelin covered by Acron's blood as he dies
associated_figures:
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: iron slumber and everlasting night
literal_form: death described as grim rest, iron slumber, and everlasting night
closing the eyes
associated_figures:
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Jove prompts Mezentius and the Tyrrhenes rally
summary: Jove prompts Mezentius to enter battle; the Tyrrhene ranks gather around
him and cast darts at the Teucrians.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Mezentius as cliff and slayer
summary: Mezentius is likened to a fixed sea-cliff as he strikes down Hebrus, Latagus,
and Palmus, then gives Palmus's armour to Lausus.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Birthmate contrast of Mimas and Paris
summary: Mimas falls far from home, while the text recalls that he was born the
same night as Paris, who remains associated with his ancestral city.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Mezentius at bay like a boar
summary: Opponents angry at Mezentius keep their distance and attack with missiles
and noise while he turns fearlessly and shakes spears from his shield.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Acron slain under lion simile
summary: Mezentius sees Acron, is compared to a hungry lion sighting prey, rushes
into the enemy, and kills Acron.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Orodes defeated and warns Mezentius
summary: Mezentius meets Orodes face to face, defeats him, boasts to his comrades,
and hears Orodes predict that Mezentius will soon meet an equal fate.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: Closing battlefield death catalogue
summary: The passage closes with a rapid list of named warriors killing other named
warriors, including one death by a treacherous arrow-shot from far away.
figure_refs:
- fig:13
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divinely prompted warrior enters battle
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage begins with Jove prompting Mezentius to take his place in battle,
after which Mezentius becomes the central attacking warrior.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states divine prompting but does not explain Jove's motive
within this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: Warrior compared to natural force or dangerous animal
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Mezentius is successively compared to an immovable cliff, a boar at bay,
and a hungry lion attacking prey.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: These are epic similes within the passage, not necessarily independent
mythic symbols.
- id: motif:3
label: Spoils of battle transferred to a companion or son
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: After disabling Palmus, Mezentius gives his armour and plumes to Lausus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The relationship between Mezentius and Lausus is not stated in this excerpt;
only the transfer of spoils is explicit.
- id: motif:4
label: Honorable face-to-face combat contrasted with distant or stealthy killing
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Mezentius declines to strike Orodes from behind with a flying lance and instead
meets him face to face; the passage later contrasts this with a treacherous arrow-shot
from far away.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The value judgment is partly embedded in the wording of the translation,
especially 'deigned not' and 'treacherous'.
- id: motif:5
label: Dying enemy foretells victor's imminent equal fate
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Orodes tells Mezentius that he will not be glad long in victory and that
an equal fate will soon make him lie in the same fields.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage records the warning but does not show its fulfillment within
this excerpt.
- id: motif:6
label: Heroic death catalogue in battle
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage lists a rapid succession of named combatants and deaths after
the duel with Orodes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: This is a literary battle-sequence pattern rather than a taxonomy-linked
mythic motif in the supplied list.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 6905-6910
quote_or_summary: Jove prompts fiery Mezentius to enter battle against the Teucrians,
while Tyrrhene ranks gather around him and cast darts at the foe.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 6910-6918
quote_or_summary: Mezentius is likened to a cliff fixed against wind and sea; he
brings down Hebrus, Latagus, and Palmus, striking Latagus with a mountain-rock
fragment and giving Palmus's armour and plumes to Lausus.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 6918-6924
quote_or_summary: Evanthes and Mimas fall; Mimas is described as Paris's fellow
and birthmate, born on the same night to Theano and Amycus while Paris was born
to Cisseus' daughter.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 6924-6933
quote_or_summary: A boar simile describes a beast driven from mountain and marsh
cover, bristling among nets while attackers keep distance; similarly, opponents
avoid close combat with Mezentius and attack him with missiles and shouting while
he shakes spears from his shield.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 6933-6943
quote_or_summary: Acron the Greek, an exile who left a half-won bride, is seen by
Mezentius; a hungry-lion simile precedes Mezentius rushing among the enemy and
killing Acron, whose blood covers the broken javelin.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 6943-6952
quote_or_summary: Mezentius refuses a rear or distant killing of Orodes and meets
him face to face; Orodes dies after warning that Mezentius will soon share an
equal fate, and Mezentius replies that the father of gods and king of men should
take counsel concerning him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 6952-6955
quote_or_summary: 'A closing battle catalogue lists additional deaths: Caedicus
slays Alcathoüs, Sacrator Hydaspes, Rapo Parthenius and Orses, Messapus Clonius
and Erichaetes, Valerus Agis, Salius Thronius, and Nealces Salius by a treacherous
arrow-shot from far away.'
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: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strong because the passage is explicit. Motif labels
are candidate literary-pattern labels without strong linkage to the supplied taxonomy.
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not support a
broader comparative claim beyond its own epic similes and Trojan references.
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. Taxonomy references were applied only where the literal form directly matched an available symbol term.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg__l6905-l6955
passage_sha256=b856e42ed0d75a7e38ef4e80c6a212831f5bc71dd8ec51c70cc4a4b82b4aa211