batch.motif.celtic-irish-gods-and-fighting-men-gregory-gutenberg-l1766-l1882
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-gods-and-fighting-men-gregory-gutenberg-l1766-l1882
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
passage_locator:
label: 'CHAPTER II. THE REIGN OF BRES / BOOK TWO: LUGH OF THE LONG HAND. / CHAPTER
I. THE COMING OF LUGH / CHAPTER II. THE SONS OF TUIREANN; lines 1766-1882'
start: '1766'
end: '1882'
translation: Gods and Fighting Men
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The sons of Tuireann go to Greece to obtain a pig-skin. Brian proposes
entering the Greek king's court disguised as Irish poets. After being welcomed,
Brian recites a poem that asks for the pig-skin and explains that conflict will
follow unless it is given. The king refuses to give the skin, offering gold instead.
Brian has the skin brought out for measuring gold, snatches it, kills a nearby
man, wraps the skin around himself, and the brothers fight their way out; Brian
kills the King of Greece. The brothers then travel toward Persia to seek a spear
from Pisear, again entering in the appearance of poets, and Brian begins a poem
about the spear.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The brothers consult and agree to go to Greece to bring away the pig-skin,
with or without permission.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Brian proposes that they enter the court in the appearance of poets from Ireland
so that the high people of Greece will respect them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The brothers put a poet's tie on their hair and identify themselves at the
door as poets of Ireland with a poem for the king.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The King of Greece orders that the visitors be admitted and that the court
be made splendid for them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Brian recites a poem praising Tuis and asking for the skin of a pig as his
reward.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Brian explains that the poem means he wants the king's pig-skin and that there
will be conflict unless he receives it by consent.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The king refuses to give the pig-skin and offers three times its full measure
of gold instead.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Brian asks to see the gold measured into the skin, and the king sends servants
with them to the treasure-house.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: When the skin is brought out, Brian snatches it with his left hand, draws
his sword, and cuts the nearest man in two.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Brian keeps hold of the skin, puts it around himself, and the three brothers
rush out while cutting down armed men in the court.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Brian fights the King of Greece, and the king falls by Brian's hand.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: 'After resting, the brothers decide to seek another part of the fine: the
spear of Pisear, King of Persia.'
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: The brothers travel by boat from the Greek coast toward Persia and say they
are well off now that they have the apples and the skin.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:14
text: At the Persian court, Brian again proposes using the appearance of poets,
and the brothers agree because the previous attempt with poetry succeeded.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:15
text: Brian recites a poem at Pisear's court that refers to a spear and to wounds
of death.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: sons of Tuireann
description: Three brothers who travel to Greece and Persia seeking items required
as part of a fine.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Brian, son of Tuireann
description: One of the sons of Tuireann; he plans the poet disguise, composes and
explains the poem, snatches the pig-skin, and kills the King of Greece.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: King of Greece / Tuis
description: The Greek king who admits the supposed Irish poets, owns the pig-skin,
refuses to give it, offers gold instead, and is killed by Brian.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: door-keeper of the Greek court
description: The court official who asks who is at the door and reports the supposed
Irish poets to the king.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: king's servants
description: Servants sent with the brothers to the treasure-house to measure gold
into the pig-skin.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: nearest man in the treasure-house or court
description: The man nearest Brian when the pig-skin is brought out; Brian strikes
him with a sword and cuts him in two.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: armed men of the Greek court
description: Armed men cut down by the three brothers as they rush out of the court.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Pisear, King of Persia
description: The Persian king from whom Brian proposes to ask for the spear.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: disguised poets
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:2
basis: The brothers put on the appearance of poets and identify themselves as poets
from Ireland.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:10
- id: role:2
label: speaker and strategist
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Brian proposes the disguises, composes and explains the poem, directs the
gold measurement, and chooses the next target.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: role:3
label: host king and owner of pig-skin
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The king receives the visitors and refuses to give them the pig-skin he owns.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: gatekeeper
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The door-keeper questions the visitors and reports them to the king.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: questing brothers seeking items of a fine
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:2
basis: They seek the pig-skin and then another part of the fine, the spear of Pisear.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: role:6
label: violent takers of guarded objects
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:2
basis: They seize the pig-skin and fight their way out of the court.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: defender and victim of Brian
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The King of Greece attacks Brian and falls by Brian's hand.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: treasure-house attendants
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The servants are sent to measure gold into the skin at the treasure-house.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: victims of the seizure and escape
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:7
basis: Brian kills the nearest man, and the brothers cut down armed men before escaping.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: prospective holder of the spear
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Brian proposes going to Pisear, King of Persia, to ask him for the spear,
and then recites about a spear at his court.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: pig-skin
literal_form: The skin of a pig owned by the King of Greece and sought by the sons
of Tuireann.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: poet's tie
literal_form: A tie put on the brothers' hair as part of their appearance as poets.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:10
- id: sym:3
label: poem as demand
literal_form: Brian's poem praises the king while asking for the pig-skin as a reward
and implying conflict if it is refused.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: gold measured into the skin
literal_form: Three times the full measure of the pig-skin in gold, offered by the
king as the price of the poem.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: sword
literal_form: Brian's sword, drawn when he snatches the skin and strikes the nearest
man.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: boat
literal_form: The boat in which the brothers leave the coast of Greece and travel
toward Persia.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:7
label: apples already obtained
literal_form: Apples mentioned by the brothers along with the skin as items already
in their possession.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:8
label: spear of Pisear
literal_form: The spear the brothers intend to ask from Pisear, King of Persia,
and which Brian names in a poem.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: sym:9
label: foreign royal courts
literal_form: The courts of the King of Greece and Pisear, King of Persia, entered
by the brothers in the appearance of poets.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Decision to seize the pig-skin and enter Greece as poets
summary: The brothers agree to go to Greece for the pig-skin. Brian advises that
they appear as Irish poets, and they put poet's ties on their hair before presenting
themselves at the Greek court.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Welcome at the Greek court
summary: The door-keeper reports the supposed Irish poets to the King of Greece,
who admits them and orders the court prepared splendidly. The brothers receive
generous treatment.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Brian's poem asks for the pig-skin
summary: After the court poets perform, Brian recites a poem that praises the king
while requesting the pig-skin. He explains that the lines mean he wants the skin
and that conflict will follow unless the king consents.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Refusal, gold offer, and access to the skin
summary: The king refuses to give the pig-skin and instead offers gold measured
by the skin. Brian asks to see the measure himself, and servants take them to
the treasure-house.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Seizure of the pig-skin and killing of the Greek king
summary: When the skin is produced, Brian snatches it, kills the nearest man, wraps
the skin around himself, and the brothers fight out of the court. Brian then fights
and kills the King of Greece.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:6
label: Departure toward Persia for the spear
summary: After resting, the brothers decide to seek the spear of Pisear, King of
Persia. They travel by boat from Greece toward Persia, saying they now have the
apples and the skin.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:6
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:7
label: Poet disguise repeated at the Persian court
summary: At the Persian court, Brian again proposes appearing as poets. The brothers
agree because the prior use of poetry succeeded, and Brian recites a poem concerning
the spear.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Disguised entry to obtain a guarded object
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: The brothers enter foreign royal courts by adopting the appearance and social
role of poets, using the disguise to gain welcome and access.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states disguise and strategic entry, but does not explicitly
call the act trickery beyond Brian's plan.
- id: motif:2
label: Seizure of a prized object after failed gift request
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_theft
basis: Brian first asks for the pig-skin as a poetic reward; after the king refuses
and offers gold, Brian snatches the skin and escapes by violence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not state the pig-skin's powers or sacred status; the
taxonomy match is based on the guarded object's seizure within a quest.
- id: motif:3
label: Quest for multiple demanded objects
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: The brothers obtain the pig-skin, mention already having apples and the skin,
and then continue to seek another part of the fine, the spear of Pisear.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: This passage shows only part of the larger sequence and does not explain
the full fine or the nature of the items.
- id: motif:4
label: Poetic praise as coercive demand
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Brian uses a praise poem to request the king's pig-skin as a reward, then
explains that refusal will lead to conflict; the king attempts to substitute gold
as payment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is framed as poem and reward, but the passage does not explicitly
describe a sacred transaction.
- id: motif:5
label: Foreign royal courts as sequential trial-sites
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The brothers leave one foreign king's court after obtaining an item and proceed
by boat toward another foreign king's court for the next object.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage supports sequential travel and trials, but only two court
episodes are present in this excerpt.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 1766-1769
quote_or_summary: The brothers consult and agree to go to Greece and bring away
the pig-skin, whether or not they have leave.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 1771-1786
quote_or_summary: Brian recommends entering in the appearance of Irish poets; the
brothers put the poet's tie on their hair and identify themselves as Irish poets
with a poem for the king.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 1787-1798
quote_or_summary: The door-keeper reports the visitors to the king, who admits them,
prepares the court splendidly, and the sons of Tuireann are treated well.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 1800-1834
quote_or_summary: Brian recites a poem praising Tuis and asking for the pig-skin;
he explains that he wants the king's pig-skin and that they will be 'by the ears'
about it unless he receives it by consent.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized with a short phrase from the passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 1836-1843
quote_or_summary: The king says he would praise the poem except for its focus on
the pig-skin, refuses to give the skin, and offers three times the skin's full
measure of gold as payment.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 1845-1854
quote_or_summary: Brian says he will not be satisfied unless he sees the gold measured
into the skin himself; the king sends servants with them to the treasure-house,
and Brian directs that his brothers be measured gold first.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 1856-1867
quote_or_summary: When the skin is brought out, Brian snatches it with his left
hand, draws his sword, kills the nearest man, wraps the skin around himself, and
the three brothers fight out of the court; Brian then fights and kills the King
of Greece.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 1869-1872
quote_or_summary: After resting, the brothers decide to seek another part of the
fine, and Brian says they will go to Pisear, King of Persia, to ask for the spear.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 1874-1878
quote_or_summary: They enter their boat, leave the blue streams of the Greek coast,
say they are well off with the apples and the skin, and travel to the borders
of Persia.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 1880-1882
quote_or_summary: At the Persian court, Brian proposes the same poet appearance
as in Greece; the brothers agree, and Brian recites a poem referring to Pisear
and the spear.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The literal sequence is clear in the supplied passage. Motif labels are provisional
because the excerpt does not state the powers or sacred status of the pig-skin,
apples, or spear, and it provides only part of the larger quest.
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 explicitly compare the events to another text, motif family, or tradition. Taxonomy references are limited to supplied motif-family IDs and only where directly supported by the passage sequence.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-gods-and-fighting-men-gregory-gutenberg__l1766-l1882
passage_sha256=8d3df619a143625756c9c2087e6a0a76f2341e9172ee4a46d6c8b7b9c2f3c5ef