batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l2084-l2167
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l2084-l2167
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
passage_locator:
label: INTRODUCTION / BIBLIOGRAPHY / HESIOD / HESIODS WORKS AND DAYS; lines 2084-2167
start: '2084'
end: '2167'
translation: Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage gives seasonal agricultural, household, viticultural, and sailing
instructions keyed to summer heat, winds, and the risings or settings of named
stars and constellations. It includes a summer meal and libation, directions for
grain storage and grape processing, warnings about dangerous sea seasons, a brief
family migration story, the speaker’s claim of limited sailing experience and
poetic victory, and guidance about the divinely governed risks of sailing.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: In the season of intense heat, goats are described as plump, wine as sweet,
men as weakened, and Sirius as parching head, knees, and skin.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The speaker desires shade, wine, curds, goat milk, meat, and an offering involving
three pourings of water and a fourth libation of wine.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: When Orion first appears, slaves are to winnow Demeter’s grain, measure it,
and store it in jars.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The passage gives household instructions about a bondman, a servant-girl,
a guard dog, fodder, litter, oxen, mules, and rest for men and oxen.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: When Orion, Sirius, Dawn, and Arcturus mark the season, grape-clusters are
to be cut, dried in the sun, covered, and drawn off as Dionysus’ gifts.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: When the Pleiades and Hyades and Orion begin to set, ploughing in season is
advised so the year may pass fitly beneath the earth.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: When the Pleiades plunge into the sea to escape Orion, gales rage and ships
should be hauled onto land, secured, drained, and stripped of gear.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The father of the speaker and Perses is said to have sailed because of insufficient
livelihood, left Aeolian Cyme, and settled near Helicon in Ascra because of poverty
laid upon men by Zeus.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: The speaker says he crossed from Aulis to Euboea, won a song contest at the
games of Amphidamas, and dedicated a handled tripod to the Muses of Helicon.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The speaker identifies fifty days after the solstice as a safe sailing season,
while also saying Poseidon or Zeus may destroy sailors and that autumn storms
make the deep dangerous.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: speaker / instructor
description: The speaking instructor who gives Perses advice, recounts limited sea
travel, claims victory in song, and says the Muses taught him.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Perses
description: The addressee of the instructions about grapes, sailing, freight, and
work in season.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Sirius
description: A star associated with parching heat and with a seasonal position in
mid-heaven.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Orion
description: A strong celestial figure whose appearance, mid-heaven position, and
setting mark agricultural and maritime timing.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Demeter
description: The goddess whose holy grain is to be winnowed.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Dionysus
description: The deity whose gifts are identified with the processed grape produce
or wine.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Pleiades and Hyades
description: Star groups whose setting marks ploughing time; the Pleiades are also
described as plunging into the misty sea to escape Orion.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: father of the speaker and Perses
description: The father who sailed because of insufficient livelihood, left Aeolian
Cyme, and settled near Helicon in Ascra.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Zeus
description: The king of the deathless gods, said to lay poverty upon men and to
hold the issues of good and evil; he may wish to slay sailors.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Poseidon
description: Poseidon the Earth-Shaker, named as a god who may be set upon wrecking
a ship or destroying sailors.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Muses of Helicon
description: Divine figures to whom the speaker dedicated a tripod and who taught
him marvellous song.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: rosy-fingered Dawn and Arcturus
description: Dawn and Arcturus are named together as seasonal markers for cutting
grape-clusters.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
roles:
- id: role:1
label: didactic speaker
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The speaker issues practical instructions about food, farming, storage, sailing,
and seasonal timing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: poet favored or taught by Muses
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The speaker says he won with a song, dedicated a tripod to the Muses, and
was taught by them to sing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: instructed kin or addressee
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Perses is directly addressed in practical instructions and is linked with
the speaker by a shared father.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: seasonal celestial marker
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:7
- fig:12
basis: These stars, constellations, or celestial figures mark times for heat, winnowing,
grape harvest, ploughing, and sailing danger.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: agricultural or viticultural deity
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:6
basis: Demeter is associated with holy grain, and Dionysus with the gifts drawn
from grapes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: poverty-driven migrant by sea
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The father sails from Aeolian Cyme and settles near Helicon because he lacks
livelihood and suffers poverty.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: divine controller of human fate at sea
assigned_to:
- fig:9
- fig:10
basis: Zeus and Poseidon are named as gods who can destroy ships or sailors; Zeus
also holds outcomes of good and evil.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: divine patrons of song
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The Muses receive the speaker’s tripod dedication and teach him song.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: tree in summer heat
literal_form: tree holding a chirping grasshopper during the season of heat
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: spring water offering
literal_form: water from an everflowing unfouled spring poured three times as an
offering
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: wine libation
literal_form: fourth libation of wine after three pourings of water
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:4
label: milk and curds
literal_form: clot of curds and milk of drained goats in the summer meal
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- milk
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:5
label: grain of Demeter
literal_form: Demeter’s holy grain, winnowed, measured, and stored in jars
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:6
label: grape and wine gifts of Dionysus
literal_form: grape-clusters dried and drawn off into vessels as Dionysus’ gifts
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:7
label: ship on land
literal_form: sea-going ship hauled up, weighted with stones, drained, and stripped
of tackle
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:8
label: Helicon
literal_form: Helicon, near the father’s settlement and associated with the Muses
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:9
label: handled tripod dedication
literal_form: handled tripod won in song and dedicated to the Muses of Helicon
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: summer heat, meal, and libation
summary: The speaker describes the hottest season marked by artichoke flowering,
grasshopper song, Sirius’ heat, and a desired shaded meal followed by water and
wine offerings.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: winnowing and household storage
summary: At Orion’s first appearance, Demeter’s grain is to be winnowed, measured,
stored, and the household arranged for servants, guard dog, fodder, and rest after
labor.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: grape harvest and ploughing by star signs
summary: The positions of Orion, Sirius, Dawn, Arcturus, the Pleiades, and the Hyades
govern grape cutting, drying, wine production, and the beginning of ploughing.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: dangerous sea season and ship storage
summary: When the Pleiades plunge into the sea before Orion, gales rage; ships should
be removed from the sea and stored on land with gear put away.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: father’s poverty-driven voyage and settlement
summary: The shared father of the speaker and Perses sails from Aeolian Cyme because
of insufficient livelihood and settles near Helicon in Ascra, a harsh place.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:6
label: poetic contest and dedication to the Muses
summary: The speaker recounts sailing to Euboea, winning a song contest at the games
of Amphidamas, dedicating a tripod to the Muses, and receiving instruction in
song from them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:7
label: safe sailing season under divine risk
summary: The speaker names a favorable sailing period after the solstice but warns
that Zeus and Poseidon can destroy sailors and that autumn storms make the sea
dangerous.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: seasonal cycle governing human work
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
basis: Agricultural, viticultural, and maritime tasks are repeatedly keyed to heat,
winds, solstice timing, and the risings or settings of celestial markers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: This is a practical didactic seasonal calendar rather than a narrative
mythic cycle.
- id: motif:2
label: sacred offering and dedication
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The passage describes water and wine pourings as an offering and a tripod
dedicated to the Muses after a song victory.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange logic is explicit only in ritual offering and dedication;
no reciprocal divine reward is directly narrated in the libation scene.
- id: motif:3
label: divine governance of human fortune and danger
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Zeus is said to lay poverty upon men and to hold issues of good and evil;
Zeus and Poseidon may destroy sailors despite favorable sailing conditions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage emphasizes divine control and risk more than a specific judgment
scene.
- id: motif:4
label: Muses as source of wisdom or poetic instruction
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The speaker claims that the Muses taught him to sing in marvellous song,
enabling authoritative instruction despite limited sailing experience.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The wisdom motif is limited to poetic instruction and didactic authority,
not a separate quest for wisdom.
- id: motif:5
label: departure under poverty
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The father leaves Aeolian Cyme by sea because of lack of livelihood and settles
near Helicon in Ascra.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a biographical migration notice, not a full heroic departure cycle.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage fits a seasonal-cycle pattern because human labor and travel
are organized by recurring celestial and weather signs across the completed year.
claim_level: same_motif
target: seasonal_cycle
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The passage is instructional and calendrical, not a mythic narrative
of seasonal death and return.
- id: claim:2
claim: 'The libation and tripod dedication serve the same broad function as sacred
exchange motifs: humans present offerings or dedications in relation to divine
powers.'
claim_level: same_function
target: sacred_exchange
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage does not spell out a negotiated exchange or direct divine
repayment for the offerings.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: ll. 582-596
quote_or_summary: Summer heat is marked by flowering artichoke, grasshopper song,
Sirius’ parching force, desired shade, wine, curds, goat milk, meats, and three
water pourings plus a fourth wine libation.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: ll. 597-608
quote_or_summary: At Orion’s first appearance, Demeter’s grain is to be winnowed,
measured, and stored; household labor, a dog, fodder, oxen, mules, and rest are
addressed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: ll. 609-617
quote_or_summary: Orion, Sirius, Dawn, Arcturus, Pleiades, and Hyades mark times
for cutting grapes, drying them, drawing off Dionysus’ gifts, and ploughing in
season.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: ll. 618-640
quote_or_summary: When the Pleiades enter the misty sea to escape Orion, gales rage
and ships should be stored ashore; the father left Aeolian Cyme by sea because
of poverty and settled near Helicon in Ascra.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: ll. 646-662
quote_or_summary: The speaker says he sailed only to Euboea from Aulis, won a song
prize at Amphidamas’ games, dedicated a handled tripod to the Muses of Helicon,
and was taught by the Muses to sing.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: ll. 641-645, 663-677
quote_or_summary: Perses is told to remember works in season, especially sailing;
a safe sailing window follows the solstice, but Poseidon or Zeus may destroy sailors,
and autumn rains and Notus make the sea dangerous.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The passage is largely didactic and calendrical, so literal extraction is
strong; motif mapping is limited to broad patterns directly supported by the passage.
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 external sources or unprovided comparisons were used.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg__l2084-l2167
passage_sha256=6e130859a61171ae5c2792512055e74f70f4917ecf5ac289ece6ef5da6359b6e