batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l4040-l4156
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l4040-l4156
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
passage_locator:
label: THE IDAEAN DACTYLS / THE THEOGONY / THE CATALOGUES OF WOMEN AND EOIAE1701
/ II. 1745; lines 4040-4156
start: '4040'
end: '4156'
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: A fragmentary passage reports Helen bearing Hermione; Zeus planning storm,
destruction of mortal men, and separation of gods from mortals; a violent seasonal
disturbance connected with Boreas; a secretive mountain and cave-dwelling serpent-like
being struck down by Zeus; and several later fragment notices concerning Iphigeneia
becoming Hecate, Minos holding Zeus's sceptre, a snake received by Demeter, Autolycus
making things disappear, and Deucalion receiving stones from which mortal men
were made.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Helen bears Hermione in a palace, and Hermione is described as an unexpected
child.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The gods are divided by strife while Zeus plans storm and tempest over the
earth and an end for the race of mortal men.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Zeus declares that he will destroy the lives of the demi-gods so that children
of gods do not mate with mortals, and he places toil and sorrow upon those born
of immortals and humankind.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: An unnamed male figure is said to contrive through the sword to send many
heroes fallen in strife to Hades.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: At Zeus's command Boreas blows fiercely; leaves and fruit fall, the deep seethes,
all things tremble, human strength wastes away, and spring fruit fails.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: The Hairless One lives secretly in the mountains, gets three young every three
years, dwells among thickets in spring, avoids paths of men, and in winter lies
in an underground cave covered with leaves.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The same being is described as a dread serpent with a speckled back and awful
spots.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: When the serpent-like being becomes violently fierce, Zeus's arrows lay him
low; only his soul remains on the holy earth and comes weakened to sacrifices
beneath the earth.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: A fragment reports that Iphigeneia was not killed but, by Artemis's will,
became Hecate.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Minos is described as a very kingly mortal king who holds the sceptre of Zeus
and rules many people.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: The snake of Cychreus is said to have been raised by Cychreus, driven out
by Eurylochus as defiling the island, received by Demeter into Eleusis, and made
her attendant.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Autolycus makes all things that he takes in his hands disappear.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: Zeus gives Deucalion stones gathered from the earth, and mortal men are made
from stones.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Helen
description: Woman who bears Hermione in the palace.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Hermione
description: Neat-ankled child borne by Helen, described as unexpected.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Zeus
description: Thunderer and cloud-driver who plans storm, destruction of mortal men
and demi-gods, commands Boreas, lays down sorrow, and later gives stones to Deucalion.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:10
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Blessed gods
description: The gods are divided through strife and are to have their lives and
dwellings apart from men.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Mortal men
description: The race of mortal men is targeted for destruction; their strength
wastes away in the storm passage.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Demi-gods / children of gods and mortals
description: Those born from immortals and humankind, whose lives Zeus says he will
destroy or burden with toil and sorrow.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Unnamed sword-agent
description: A fragmentary unnamed male figure who will send many fallen heroes
to Hades through the sword.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Boreas
description: North wind who blows fiercely at Zeus's command.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: The Hairless One / dread serpent
description: Secretive mountain and cave-dwelling being that has three young every
three years and is described as a dread speckled serpent.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Iphigeneia
description: Figure represented as not killed but becoming Hecate by Artemis's will.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Artemis
description: Goddess whose will causes Iphigeneia not to be killed but to become
Hecate.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Hecate
description: Divine identity that Iphigeneia becomes in the reported fragment.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Minos
description: Kingly mortal king holding the sceptre of Zeus and ruling many people.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Snake of Cychreus
description: Snake raised by Cychreus, expelled by Eurylochus, received by Demeter
into Eleusis, and made her attendant.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Cychreus
description: Figure who raised the snake of Cychreus.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:16
name_or_label: Eurylochus
description: Figure who drives out the snake as defiling the island.
role_refs:
- role:16
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:17
name_or_label: Demeter
description: Goddess who receives the snake into Eleusis and makes it her attendant.
role_refs:
- role:17
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:18
name_or_label: Autolycus
description: Figure who makes all things taken in his hands disappear.
role_refs:
- role:18
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:19
name_or_label: Deucalion
description: Recipient of stones gathered from the earth, given by Zeus.
role_refs:
- role:19
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:20
name_or_label: Stone-made mortal men
description: Mortal men made from stones gathered out of the earth.
role_refs:
- role:20
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: mother / bearer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Helen bears Hermione in the palace.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: unexpected child
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Hermione is called a child unlooked for.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: divine planner and destroyer
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Zeus plans storm, an end to mortal men, and destruction of demi-gods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: separated immortals
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The gods are to have living and habitations apart from men.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: threatened mortals
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Zeus plans an utter end of mortal men, and human strength wastes away.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: hybrid divine-mortal offspring
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The passage names demi-gods and those born of immortals and mankind.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: sender of heroes to Hades
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The fragment says he will contrive through the sword to send many heroes
to Hades.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:8
label: wind executing divine command
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Boreas blows fiercely at the behest of Zeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: seasonal cave serpent
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The being moves between mountain thickets and an underground cave and is
called a dread serpent.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: transformed-not-killed maiden
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Iphigeneia is represented as not killed but becoming Hecate.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:11
label: divine transformer
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The change occurs by the will of Artemis.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:12
label: resulting divine identity
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: The fragment states that Iphigeneia became Hecate.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:13
label: divinely sanctioned king
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Minos rules while holding the sceptre of Zeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:14
label: displaced sacred serpent attendant
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: The snake is expelled, received by Demeter into Eleusis, and becomes her
attendant.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:15
label: serpent raiser
assigned_to:
- fig:15
basis: Cychreus brings up the snake.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:16
label: serpent expeller
assigned_to:
- fig:16
basis: Eurylochus drives the snake out as defiling the island.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:17
label: divine receiver of serpent
assigned_to:
- fig:17
basis: Demeter receives the snake into Eleusis.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:18
label: maker of disappearances
assigned_to:
- fig:18
basis: Autolycus makes things taken in his hands disappear.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:19
label: recipient of earth-stones
assigned_to:
- fig:19
basis: Zeus gives Deucalion stones gathered out of the earth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:20
label: stone-born humans
assigned_to:
- fig:20
basis: Mortal men are made from stones.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: storm and tempest
literal_form: Storm and tempest mingled over the boundless earth.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: Hades
literal_form: Underworld destination for heroes fallen in strife.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: falling leaves and failed fruit
literal_form: Leaves and fruit falling from trees; fruit failing in spring.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:8
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: seething deep
literal_form: The deep seethes under Boreas's blast.
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: secret mountain place
literal_form: Mountain, thickets, glens, and wooded glades where the Hairless One
dwells in spring.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: underground cave
literal_form: Close cave beneath the earth where the serpent lies in winter.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:7
label: serpent
literal_form: Dread serpent with speckled back and awful spots; also the snake of
Cychreus.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
- fig:14
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: sym:8
label: arrows of Zeus
literal_form: Arrows of Zeus that lay the fierce serpent-like being low.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:9
label: sacrifices beneath the earth
literal_form: Chthonic sacrifices to which the weakened soul comes.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:10
label: sceptre of Zeus
literal_form: Sceptre of Zeus held by Minos as he rules many people.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:11
label: earth stones
literal_form: Stones gathered out of the earth from which mortal men are made.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:19
- fig:20
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Unexpected birth of Hermione
summary: Helen bears neat-ankled Hermione in the palace, and the child is described
as unlooked for.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Zeus plans separation and destruction
summary: Amid divine strife, Zeus plans storm over the earth, an end for mortal
men, destruction of demi-gods, separation of gods from mortals, and sorrow for
divine-mortal offspring.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Heroes sent to Hades by the sword
summary: A fragmentary unnamed male figure will use the sword to send many heroes
fallen in strife to Hades, though he does not yet know his father's intent.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Boreas and the seasonal serpent
summary: At Zeus's command Boreas causes a destructive natural disturbance while
the Hairless One follows a seasonal pattern between mountain thickets and an underground
cave and is identified as a dread serpent.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Serpent struck by Zeus
summary: When the serpent-like being becomes fiercely violent, Zeus's arrows lay
him low, leaving only his soul, which comes weakened to sacrifices beneath the
earth.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Iphigeneia becomes Hecate
summary: A fragment reports that Iphigeneia was not killed but became Hecate by
Artemis's will.
figure_refs:
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: Minos with the sceptre of Zeus
summary: Minos is presented as an exceptionally kingly mortal ruler holding the
sceptre of Zeus.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:8
label: Snake of Cychreus enters Eleusis
summary: The snake raised by Cychreus is driven out by Eurylochus, then received
by Demeter into Eleusis and made her attendant.
figure_refs:
- fig:14
- fig:15
- fig:16
- fig:17
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:9
label: Autolycus makes things disappear
summary: Autolycus causes whatever he takes in his hands to disappear.
figure_refs:
- fig:18
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:10
label: Stone-made humanity
summary: Zeus gives Deucalion stones gathered from the earth, and mortal men are
made from stones.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:19
- fig:20
symbol_refs:
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divine destruction of mortals and demi-gods
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Zeus plans to end mortal men, destroy demi-gods, and impose toil and sorrow
on divine-mortal offspring.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage is fragmentary and does not complete the described destruction.
- id: motif:2
label: Separation of gods and humans after divine-mortal mingling
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_parent_child
basis: Zeus states that children of gods should not mate with mortals and that gods
should live apart from men.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The immediate narrative context is incomplete because of lacunae.
- id: motif:3
label: Seasonal cave serpent
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
- serpent
basis: The Hairless One has young every three years, dwells in mountain thickets
in spring, winters in an underground cave, and is described as a dread serpent.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The identity and wider mythic context of the Hairless One are not fully
preserved in the passage.
- id: motif:4
label: Serpent struck by a sky god's weapon
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: A fierce serpent-like being is laid low by the arrows of Zeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage breaks off and does not fully explain the creature's role
or fate.
- id: motif:5
label: Transformation instead of death
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
basis: Iphigeneia is reported not to have been killed but, by Artemis's will, to
have become Hecate.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The fragment states transformation and survival, but not a full death-and-rebirth
sequence.
- id: motif:6
label: Royal power sanctioned by divine sceptre
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Minos rules many people while holding the sceptre of Zeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The notice is brief and does not narrate how Minos receives the sceptre.
- id: motif:7
label: Sacred serpent received by a goddess
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: The snake of Cychreus is expelled as defiling but received by Demeter into
Eleusis and made her attendant.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The fragment does not describe the ritual or cultic details of the snake's
attendance.
- id: motif:8
label: Magical disappearance in the hands
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: Autolycus makes all things that he takes in his hands disappear.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not explicitly call the act theft or trickery, only disappearance.
- id: motif:9
label: Human beings made from stones
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Zeus gives Deucalion earth-gathered stones, and mortal men are made from
stones.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference exactly matches stone-born humanity; the
passage does not mention a flood in this excerpt.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: ll. 1-2
quote_or_summary: Helen “bare neat-ankled Hermione in the palace, a child unlooked
for.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; short quotation used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: ll. 2-13
quote_or_summary: The gods are divided; Zeus plans storm and an end to mortal men,
declares he will destroy demi-gods, separate gods from mortals, and place toil
and sorrow on those born of immortals and mankind.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: ll. 16-30
quote_or_summary: A fragmentary male figure will contrive through the sword to send
many heroes fallen in strife to Hades, while not yet knowing his father's intent.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: ll. 31-43
quote_or_summary: Boreas blows at Zeus's behest; leaves and fruit fall, the deep
seethes, all things tremble, human strength wastes, and the Hairless One lives
seasonally in mountain thickets and an underground cave as a speckled dread serpent.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: ll. 44-50
quote_or_summary: When the serpent-like being becomes violently fierce, Zeus's arrows
lay him low; his soul remains and comes weakened to sacrifices beneath the earth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 'Fragment #71'
quote_or_summary: Pausanias reports that Hesiod represented Iphigeneia as not killed
but, by Artemis's will, becoming Hecate.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: quote
locator: 'Fragment #74'
quote_or_summary: Minos is described as “most kingly of mortal kings” and as holding
“the sceptre of Zeus.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; short quotation used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 'Fragment #77'
quote_or_summary: The snake of Cychreus is raised by Cychreus, driven out by Eurylochus,
received by Demeter into Eleusis, and becomes her attendant.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: 'Fragment #80'
quote_or_summary: 'Of Autolycus: “All things that he took in his hands, he made
to disappear.”'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; short quotation used.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 'Fragment #82'
quote_or_summary: Zeus gives Deucalion stones gathered from the earth; out of stones
mortal men are made and called people.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is limited by lacunae, fragmentary syntax, and multiple brief
scholia-style notices within the selected line range. Comparison claims are omitted
because the passage does not itself provide explicit comparative framing beyond
internal motif candidates.
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: |-
Only motifs and symbols supported directly by the supplied passage and available taxonomy references were included; no external mythographic identifications were added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg__l4040-l4156
passage_sha256=da49f6b6e71a94659e4b6d706ac7542438e560619f6f45767726ecf7b4204d1b