batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l8040-l8120
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg-l8040-l8120
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK ELEVENTH / THE COUNCIL OF THE LATINS, AND THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CAMILLA
/ BOOK TWELFTH / THE SLAYING OF TURNUS; lines 8040-8120
start: '8040'
end: '8120'
translation: The Aeneid of Virgil
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: With such words they sealed mutual treaty midway in sight of the princes.
summary: A treaty is ritually sealed with sacrificial animals at altars. Juturna,
disguised as Camertus, stirs the Rutulians against the agreement. She then displays
a bird-sign in the sky, which Tolumnius interprets as divine support for renewed
battle. He hurls a spear that kills an enemy, the treaty collapses, the altars
are broken, and fighting resumes around the sacred fire and treaty rites.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A mutual treaty is sealed in view of the princes, followed by the slaughter
of consecrated animals over flames and the loading of altars.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The Rutulians judge the proposed combat unequal and become unsettled when
they see Turnus humbly worshipping at the altar with downcast eyes and a pale,
wasted appearance.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Juturna, Turnus's sister, enters the ranks in the feigned form of Camertus
and spreads arguments against risking Turnus alone.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Juturna says Turnus will ascend to the gods and live in human speech if he
devotes himself for the altars.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: A tawny bird of Jove chases shore birds, seizes a swan from the water, is
mobbed by the other birds, drops the swan into the river, and flies into the clouds.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: The Rutulians greet the bird event as an omen, and Tolumnius the augur calls
it the sign he had sought.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Tolumnius hurls a spear at the enemy; it kills one of nine brothers, a son
of a Tyrrhene wife and Gylippus the Arcadian.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: After the spear-killing, both sides rush into fighting, pull the altars apart,
and weapons fill the air.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Latinus retreats while carrying the outraged gods of the broken treaty.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: Messapus kills Aulestes near the altars and calls him a better victim for
the high gods.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: Corynaeus takes a charred brand from the altar, throws flame into Ebysus's
face, and then kills him with a sword.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: Alsus kills Podalirius with an axe, splitting brow and chin.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Turnus
description: A Rutulian leader seen worshipping humbly at the altar, with downcast
eyes, wasted cheeks, and pallor.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Juturna
description: Turnus's sister, who enters the ranks in the feigned form of Camertus
and stirs the soldiers against the treaty.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Camertus
description: A man of high ancestry and valour whose form Juturna assumes.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Rutulians and Italians
description: The wavering troops who are stirred by Juturna's words and by the interpreted
omen.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Jove's tawny bird
description: A bird associated with Jove that seizes a swan and is driven off by
a flock.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Shore birds and swan
description: Birds first chased by Jove's bird; a swan is seized, then released
into the river after the flock attacks the predator.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Tolumnius
description: An augur who interprets the bird event, urges the people to arms, and
throws the first spear.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Unnamed son of Gylippus
description: One of nine brothers, described as beautiful and armed, killed by Tolumnius's
spear.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Latinus
description: A king who retreats carrying the outraged gods of the broken treaty.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Messapus
description: A fighter who rides down Aulestes and kills him near the altars.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Aulestes
description: A Tyrrhenian king in royal array who falls by the altars and is killed
by Messapus.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Corynaeus
description: A fighter who uses an altar brand against Ebysus and kills him.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Ebysus
description: A combatant whose beard catches fire from Corynaeus's altar brand before
he is killed.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Podalirius
description: A combatant who attacks Alsus with a sword and is killed by Alsus's
axe.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Alsus
description: A shepherd who kills Podalirius with an axe.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
roles:
- id: role:1
label: doomed champion at altar
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Turnus is the single life at stake and is shown worshipping humbly at the
altar.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:2
label: divine sister intervening for Turnus
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Juturna is identified as Turnus's sister and acts to alter the wavering people's
mind.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: disguised agitator
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: She enters the ranks in the feigned form of Camertus and spreads arguments
against the treaty.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: assumed identity
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Camertus is the form used by Juturna for her intervention.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: wavering army turned toward battle
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The troops shift from hoping for peace to desiring arms after Juturna's words
and the omen.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:6
label: omen bird
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The bird's action in the sky is treated as a potent sign and interpreted
by the augur.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: collective omen figures
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Their mobbing of the predator forms the event interpreted as an omen.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: augur and battle-instigator
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Tolumnius interprets the bird event and immediately hurls a spear.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: battle victim
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:11
- fig:13
- fig:14
basis: Each is killed during the renewed fighting after the treaty breaks down.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:10
label: custodian of broken treaty rites
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Latinus retreats bearing the outraged gods of the broken treaty.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: combatant killer
assigned_to:
- fig:10
- fig:12
- fig:15
basis: Each kills an opponent in the resumed battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: treaty altars
literal_form: altars loaded after sacrificial slaughter and later pulled apart during
the outbreak of battle
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: sym:2
label: sacrificial flames
literal_form: flames over which consecrated beasts are slain; altar fire later used
as a weapon
associated_figures:
- fig:12
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:11
- id: sym:3
label: feigned form
literal_form: Juturna's assumed form of Camertus
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: bird omen
literal_form: Jove's tawny bird, a swan, and a flock of shore birds in the sky and
at the water
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: river and water
literal_form: the water from which the swan is seized and the river into which it
is dropped
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: outraged gods of the broken treaty
literal_form: sacred objects or divine emblems carried away by Latinus as the treaty
collapses
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:7
label: first spear after the omen
literal_form: Tolumnius's thrown cornel-shaft that kills one of Gylippus's sons
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Treaty sacrifice at the altars
summary: A treaty is sealed before the princes with sacrificial slaughter, flames,
entrails, and loaded altars.
figure_refs: []
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Juturna enters disguised and agitates the ranks
summary: As the Rutulians waver over Turnus's unequal lot, Juturna assumes Camertus's
form and argues that the people should not risk one life for all.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Bird-sign in the sky
summary: 'Juturna shows a sign: Jove''s bird seizes a swan but is attacked by many
birds, drops the prey into the river, and vanishes into the clouds.'
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Tolumnius interprets the omen and throws the spear
summary: Tolumnius calls the event divine, urges the people to arms, and hurls a
spear that kills an Arcadian-aligned youth.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Treaty collapse and general battle
summary: Both sides rush into combat, tear apart the altars, and cover the air with
weapons as Latinus withdraws with the gods of the broken treaty.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:6
label: Individual killings around the broken rites
summary: Messapus kills Aulestes near the altars, Corynaeus uses an altar brand
to kill Ebysus, and Alsus kills Podalirius with an axe.
figure_refs:
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:14
- fig:15
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: treaty sealed and broken
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: The passage begins with a mutual treaty ritually sealed at altars, but the
treaty is then undone by agitation, omen interpretation, a first spear, and renewed
combat.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy term is broad; the passage concerns a martial treaty
rather than a theological covenant in a narrow sense.
- id: motif:2
label: sacrificial rites at the outbreak of violence
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Consecrated beasts are killed over flames, entrails are taken, altars are
loaded, and later Aulestes is called a better victim for the gods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The later killing of Aulestes is metaphorically framed as a victim by
Messapus; it is not a formal sacrifice in the same way as the opening ritual.
- id: motif:3
label: divine figure in assumed form
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Juturna enters the ranks in the feigned form of Camertus to influence the
soldiers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage says she takes a feigned form; it does not describe the mechanics
of transformation.
- id: motif:4
label: augural bird-sign prompting battle
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A bird event in the sky is described as a potent sign; Tolumnius the augur
interprets it as divine and uses it to urge armed action.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: No specific available taxonomy reference directly names augury or omen
interpretation.
- id: motif:5
label: sacred fire turned into weapon
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Corynaeus takes a charred brand from the altar and throws its flame into
Ebysus's face during combat.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a localized combat action rather than an extended mythic motif
in the passage.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The bird episode functions as an augural sign that authorizes or incites
collective military action within the passage.
claim_level: same_function
target: augural bird-sign used for battle decision-making
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The claim is functional and internal to the passage; no historical
contact, common inheritance, or external text comparison is established here.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: 8040-8043
quote_or_summary: They sealed a mutual treaty, slew consecrated beasts over flames,
tore out live entrails, and piled the altars with laden chargers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short excerpt/summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 8044-8051
quote_or_summary: The Rutulians think the battle unequal; Turnus approaches the
altar silently, humbly worshipping with downcast eyes, wasted cheeks, and pallor.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 8051-8056
quote_or_summary: Juturna, Turnus's sister, sees the wavering mood and enters the
ranks in the feigned form of Camertus, a noble and valiant man.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 8056-8065
quote_or_summary: In disguise, Juturna argues that the Rutulians should not risk
one life for many and says Turnus will ascend to the gods and live in men's speech
if he devotes himself for the altars.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 8066-8078
quote_or_summary: 'Juturna shows a sign: Jove''s tawny bird pursues shore birds,
seizes a swan from the water, is attacked by the flock, drops the prey into the
river, and flies into the clouds.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 8078-8087
quote_or_summary: The Rutulians greet the omen; Tolumnius the augur says he welcomes
and recognizes a deity and urges the people to take up the sword.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 8087-8098
quote_or_summary: Tolumnius hurls a cornel-shaft; it strikes and kills one of nine
sons of a Tyrrhene wife and Gylippus the Arcadian.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 8098-8105
quote_or_summary: The slain youth's brothers rush forward; Laurentines, Trojans,
Agyllines, and Arcadians enter battle; the altars are pulled apart and weapons
fill the air.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: 8105-8107
quote_or_summary: "“Latinus himself retreats, bearing the outraged gods of the broken
treaty.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short quotation used.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 8107-8114
quote_or_summary: Messapus rides against Aulestes near the altars and kills him
with a spear, saying the high gods take this better victim.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 8114-8119
quote_or_summary: Corynaeus takes a charred brand from the altar, throws flame into
Ebysus's face, seizes him by the hair, forces him down, and stabs him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/aeneid-mackail.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: 8119-8120
quote_or_summary: Podalirius attacks Alsus with a sword; Alsus swings an axe and
severs brow and chin, killing him.
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: medium
notes: Literal extraction is supported by the supplied passage. Motif taxonomy matches
are strongest for treaty/covenant, sacrifice, and shapeshifting; augury has no
exact available taxonomy reference.
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 provided passage and metadata; no external comparisons or unsupported taxonomy identifiers added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-aeneid-mackail-gutenberg__l8040-l8120
passage_sha256=42146d196fa7c39765c897add494775a1028571a37b5a4b8b0255e7ff953ad45