batch.motif.comparative-golden-bough-volume-2-frazer-gutenberg-l1039-l1079
---
record_id: batch.motif.comparative-golden-bough-volume-2-frazer-gutenberg-l1039-l1079
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-2-frazer.md
passage_locator:
label: 'The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 2 of 2) / CONTENTS;
lines 1039-1079'
start: '1039'
end: '1079'
translation: 'The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 2 of 2)'
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: "“the _murder_ of the ox”"
summary: Frazer interprets an Athenian ox sacrifice as the killing of a sacred animal
identified with the corn-deity, relates it to first-fruits customs and to a Beauce
straw-man called the great mondard, and compares the stuffed ox’s restoration
to vegetation-spirit resurrection patterns including the Wild Man.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The sacrifice is named as the murder of the ox, and participants shift blame
for the slaughter onto others.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: A formal trial and punishment are directed at the axe or knife, or both.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The passage states that the ox is regarded as a sacred creature whose slaughter
is sacrilege or murder, not merely as a victim offered to a god.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Varro is cited for the statement that killing an ox was formerly a capital
crime in Attica.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:5
text: The ox that tasted the corn is interpreted as the corn-deity taking possession
of its own property.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: In Beauce near Orleans, on April 24 or 25, people make a straw-man called
the great mondard because the old mondard is said to be dead and a new one is
needed.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The straw-man is carried in solemn procession through the village and placed
on the oldest apple-tree.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: After the apples are gathered, the straw-man is either thrown into water or
burned, with its ashes cast into water.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:9
text: The person who plucks the first fruit from the tree succeeds to the title
of the great mondard.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:10
text: Frazer states that the straw figure placed on the apple-tree represents the
tree spirit, dead in winter and revived with spring apple-blossoms.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:11
text: The passage states that first-fruits may be regarded as the property of, or
as containing, a divinity.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: A human or animal that appropriates sacred first-fruits is described as being
regarded as the divinity in human or animal form taking possession of its own.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: The Athenian sacrifice is dated near the close of threshing, and the wheat
and barley on the altar are interpreted as a harvest offering.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: The subsequent repast is described as sacramental, with all participants eating
the flesh of the divine animal.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:15
text: The sacrifice is said by tradition to have been instituted to end drought
and famine.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:16
text: The resurrection of the corn-spirit is represented by setting up the stuffed
ox and yoking it to the plough.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: the ox
description: A sacrificial ox treated as a sacred creature and, in Frazer’s interpretation,
as the corn-deity or corn-spirit in animal form.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: axe or knife
description: The implement or implements formally tried and punished after the ox
slaughter.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: the great mondard straw-man
description: A straw figure made in spring in Beauce, processed through the village,
placed on the oldest apple-tree, and later thrown into water or burned with ashes
cast into water.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: person who plucks the first fruit
description: The person who plucks the first fruit from the apple-tree and succeeds
to the title of the great mondard.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: tree-spirit
description: The spirit represented by the great mondard straw figure and by the
first-fruit plucker, described as dead in winter and revived in spring.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Wild Man
description: A representative of the tree-spirit mentioned in Frazer’s comparison
with the resurrection of the corn-spirit.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: sacred animal victim
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The ox is described as a sacred creature whose slaughter is treated as murder
or sacrilege.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: corn-deity or corn-spirit representative
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The ox tasting corn is interpreted as the corn-deity taking possession of
its own, and the stuffed ox represents resurrection of the corn-spirit.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: role:3
label: divine animal eaten in sacramental repast
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage describes all participants partaking of the flesh of the divine
animal.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: blame-bearing ritual implement
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The axe or knife is formally tried and punished after the slaughter.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: spring vegetation effigy
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The straw-man is made in spring because the old mondard is dead and a new
one is needed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: tree-spirit representative
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Frazer states that the straw figure placed on the apple-tree represents the
spirit of the tree.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: successor to vegetation-spirit title
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The first-fruit plucker receives the title of the great mondard and is treated
as a representative of the tree-spirit.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: reviving tree spirit
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The tree spirit is described as dead in winter and reviving when apple-blossoms
appear in spring.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: tree-spirit representative in comparison
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The Wild Man is named as the person of the tree-spirit’s representative in
the comparison.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: sacred ox
literal_form: ox
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: blame-bearing weapon
literal_form: axe or knife
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: first-fruits
literal_form: corn, wheat, barley, apples, and first fruit
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: straw vegetation figure
literal_form: straw-man called the great mondard
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: apple-tree
literal_form: oldest apple-tree
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: water disposal
literal_form: water into which the straw-man or ashes are cast
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:7
label: burning of effigy
literal_form: burned straw-man and ashes
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:8
label: stuffed ox yoked to plough
literal_form: stuffed ox set up and yoked to the plough
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Athenian ox sacrifice and blame transfer
summary: An ox sacrifice is described as the murder of the ox; participants shift
blame, and the axe or knife is formally tried and punished, indicating that the
ox is treated as sacred.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Ox as corn-deity taking first-fruits
summary: The ox that tastes the corn is interpreted as the corn-deity taking possession
of its own sacred first-fruits.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: scene:3
label: Beauce great mondard rite
summary: A straw-man called the great mondard is made in spring, processed through
the village, placed on the oldest apple-tree, and later disposed of in water or
by burning followed by casting ashes into water.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: First-fruit plucker succeeds to mondard title
summary: The person who plucks the first apple succeeds to the title of the great
mondard and is interpreted as a representative of the tree-spirit.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Harvest meal of divine animal
summary: The Athenian rite is linked to harvest timing and to a sacramental meal
in which participants eat the divine animal’s flesh.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Restoration of corn-spirit in stuffed ox
summary: The corn-spirit’s resurrection is represented by setting up the stuffed
ox and yoking it to the plough, and this is compared with tree-spirit resurrection
in the Wild Man.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: sacred animal sacrifice treated as murder
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: The ox sacrifice is named murder, the participants shift blame, and the implement
is tried and punished, while the ox is interpreted as sacred.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: This is Frazer’s interpretation of a ritual complex, not a primary narrative
episode.
- id: motif:2
label: first-fruits as divine property or divine embodiment
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The passage states that first-fruits are treated as belonging to or containing
a divinity, and that a human or animal appropriating them may be viewed as the
divinity taking possession of its own.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is expressed as a comparative ritual interpretation rather than
as a mythic story.
- id: motif:3
label: vegetation spirit death and spring revival
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
- seasonal_cycle
- resurrection
basis: The great mondard is made because the old mondard is dead; the tree-spirit
is described as dead in winter and revived with apple-blossoms in spring.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage reports a custom and Frazer’s symbolic reading of it.
- id: motif:4
label: sacramental eating of divine harvest animal
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- seasonal_cycle
basis: The passage describes the post-sacrifice meal as sacramental, with all partaking
of the flesh of the divine animal, and compares it to harvest suppers where an
animal representing the corn-spirit is eaten.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The comparison depends on Frazer’s broader argument, only summarized within
this passage.
- id: motif:5
label: restored corn-spirit yoked to the plough
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
- death_rebirth
- seasonal_cycle
basis: The resurrection of the corn-spirit is represented by setting up the stuffed
ox and yoking it to the plough.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives the ritual action and interpretation but not the full
ritual context.
- id: motif:6
label: ritual remedy for drought and famine
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
basis: A tradition states that the sacrifice was instituted to put an end to drought
and famine, supporting Frazer’s classification of it as a harvest festival.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage mentions the tradition briefly and does not narrate the drought-famine
episode in detail.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: Frazer uses the Beauce great mondard rite to support his interpretation that
a figure who appropriates first-fruits may represent the vegetation divinity taking
possession of its own.
claim_level: same_function
target: Beauce great mondard first-fruit custom compared with the Athenian ox that
tastes the corn
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The claim reflects Frazer’s comparative interpretation; the passage
does not demonstrate historical contact.
- id: claim:2
claim: The Athenian sacramental repast is explicitly said to be parallel to modern
European harvest suppers in which the animal representing the corn-spirit is eaten
by harvesters.
claim_level: same_function
target: modern European harvest suppers involving an animal representing the corn-spirit
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The passage states functional parallelism, not direct transmission
or common origin.
- id: claim:3
claim: The resurrection of the corn-spirit in the stuffed ox is compared with the
resurrection of the tree-spirit in the person of the Wild Man.
claim_level: same_motif
target: tree-spirit resurrection represented by the Wild Man
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The comparison is stated briefly and relies on Frazer’s surrounding
discussion outside this excerpt.
- id: claim:4
claim: The Athenian rite is interpreted as a harvest festival because of its timing
near threshing, its harvest offering, its communal eating of the divine animal,
and the tradition that it ended drought and famine.
claim_level: same_function
target: harvest festival pattern
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage offers interpretive indicators rather than a full independent
account of the festival’s origin.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 1039-1047
quote_or_summary: The ox sacrifice is called murder; participants shift blame; the
axe or knife is formally tried and punished; the ox is treated as sacred; Varro
is cited on killing an ox as a former capital crime in Attica.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-2-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 1047-1050
quote_or_summary: The selection of the victim suggests to Frazer that the ox which
tasted the corn was viewed as the corn-deity taking possession of its own.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-2-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 1050-1058
quote_or_summary: In Beauce, people make a straw-man called the great mondard in
late April, process it through the village, place it on the oldest apple-tree,
later throw it into water or burn it and cast the ashes into water, and give the
title great mondard to the person who plucks the first fruit.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-2-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 1058-1063
quote_or_summary: Frazer interprets the straw figure as the tree-spirit, dead in
winter and revived with spring apple-blossoms, and the first-fruit plucker as
a representative of the tree-spirit.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-2-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 1063-1069
quote_or_summary: The passage states that many peoples avoid tasting first-fruits
until a ceremony makes it safe, because first-fruits may belong to or contain
a divinity; a human or animal taking them may be regarded as that divinity in
human or animal form.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-2-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 1069-1075
quote_or_summary: The Athenian sacrifice occurs near the close of threshing; the
altar grain is interpreted as a harvest offering; the repast is sacramental, with
all eating the divine animal, and is compared to modern European harvest suppers
where an animal representing the corn-spirit is eaten.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-2-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 1075-1077
quote_or_summary: A tradition says the sacrifice was instituted to end drought and
famine, which Frazer treats as support for viewing it as a harvest festival.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-2-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary based on supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 1077-1079
quote_or_summary: The corn-spirit’s resurrection is represented by setting up the
stuffed ox and yoking it to the plough, and is compared with tree-spirit resurrection
in the person of the Wild Man.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-2-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary based on supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The passage is explicit and interpretive, making extraction straightforward.
Motif labels and comparisons are based only on Frazer’s statements in the supplied
excerpt and should be reviewed because the excerpt is comparative scholarship
rather than a primary mythic source.
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 historical-contact or common-inheritance claims are made; comparisons are limited to functional or motif parallels stated in the passage.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:comparative-golden-bough-volume-2-frazer-gutenberg__l1039-l1079
passage_sha256=061d9a8c977a00d00dbd1482ce4cde839f9a34a0198f5e82689fc709c8997f1a