batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l5265-l5347
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l5265-l5347
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
passage_locator:
label: DOUBTFUL FRAGMENTS / THE HOMERIC HYMNS / I. TO DIONYSUS 2501 / II. TO DEMETER;
lines 5265-5347
start: '5265'
end: '5347'
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: Demeter, grieving and angry with the Son of Cronos, withdraws from Olympus
and moves among mortals in altered form. She sits near the Maiden Well at Eleusis,
where the daughters of Celeus find her while drawing water. Under the name Doso,
she tells a story of forced removal from Crete by pirates and asks for household
work. Callidice explains local households and proposes that Metaneira may employ
her to nurse an only late-born son. The daughters fetch water, report to their
mother, return, and lead the veiled, dark-cloaked goddess to their father’s house.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Demeter experiences terrible grief and anger toward the dark-clouded Son of
Cronos.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Demeter avoids the gathering of the gods and high Olympus and goes among towns
and fields of men.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Demeter disfigures her form for a long while and is not recognized by mortals.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Demeter sits near the wayside by the Maiden Well in a shady place where an
olive shrub grows.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: The daughters of Celeus come to draw water in bronze pitchers and see the
disguised goddess.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The daughters address the stranger as an old mother and ask her origin and
why she stays away from the houses.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Demeter gives her name as Doso and says she came unwillingly from Crete over
the sea after pirates brought her by force.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Demeter says she fled secretly from the pirates and does not know the land
or people where she has arrived.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Demeter asks the maidens to take pity on her and direct her to a household
where she can perform women’s tasks.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Demeter says she can nurse a newborn child, keep house, spread a master’s
bed, or teach women their work.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Callidice states that mortals must bear what the gods send because the gods
are stronger.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Callidice lists powerful and honored men of the city, including Triptolemus,
Dioclus, Polyxeinus, Eumolpus, Dolichus, and Celeus.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: Callidice says Metaneira has an only late-born son, a child of many prayers,
who is being nursed in the house.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:14
text: Demeter bows her head in assent to the invitation.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:15
text: The daughters fill their vessels with water, tell their mother, and return
to lead the goddess to Celeus’ house.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:16
text: As she is led to the house, Demeter walks behind with her head veiled and
wearing a dark cloak.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Demeter / Doso
description: A queen among goddesses who, in grief, alters her form, gives the name
Doso, and appears as an old woman seeking household work.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Dark-clouded Son of Cronos
description: The divine figure with whom Demeter is angry.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Daughters of Celeus
description: Four maiden daughters of Celeus who draw water, find the disguised
goddess, speak with her, and later lead her to their father’s house.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:9
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Callidice
description: The goodliest in form among the daughters of Celeus; she answers Demeter
and proposes bringing her to Metaneira’s house.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Celeus
description: Wise lord of fragrant Eleusis and father of the maidens.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Metaneira
description: Deep-bosomed mother in Celeus’ household who is told of the stranger
and bids the daughters invite her for hire.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Metaneira’s only late-born son
description: An only son, late-born and a child of many prayers, being nursed in
the well-built house.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: grieving goddess
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage names Demeter and describes terrible grief entering her heart.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: divine stranger in disguise
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: She disfigures her form, is not recognized by mortals, and appears like an
ancient woman.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: supplicant seeking work
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: She asks the maidens to pity her and direct her to a household where she
may work.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: prospective nurse
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: She says she can nurse a newborn child; Callidice suggests she may raise
Metaneira’s son.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: object of divine anger
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Demeter is described as angered with the dark-clouded Son of Cronos.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: maiden water-drawers
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:4
basis: The daughters come to the well to carry water in bronze pitchers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: guides to household
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: They report to their mother, return to the stranger, and lead her to their
father’s house.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:8
label: spokeswoman
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Callidice answers the disguised goddess and explains the local households.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: lord and father
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Celeus is called wise, lord of fragrant Eleusis, and father of the maidens.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:9
- id: role:10
label: household mother and employer
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Metaneira is the mother whom the daughters tell, and she bids them invite
the stranger for hire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: child to be nursed
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The child is described as an only late-born son being nursed in the house,
whom the stranger may bring up.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Maiden Well
literal_form: A well by the wayside where local women draw water.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: olive shrub
literal_form: An olive shrub growing over the shady place near the Maiden Well.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: bronze water pitchers
literal_form: Bronze pitchers or shining vessels used by the maidens to carry water.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:9
- id: sym:4
label: veil and dark cloak
literal_form: A veiled head and dark cloak worn by Demeter as she walks to the house.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Demeter withdraws from Olympus
summary: In grief and anger, Demeter avoids the gods’ gathering and high Olympus,
alters her form, and moves among mortal towns and fields.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: The goddess at the Maiden Well
summary: Demeter sits by the wayside near the Maiden Well under an olive shrub,
appearing like an ancient woman.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: The daughters encounter the stranger
summary: The daughters of Celeus come to draw water, see the stranger, do not recognize
her as divine, and ask who she is and why she stays away from the houses.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Doso’s story and request
summary: Demeter, calling herself Doso, says pirates carried her from Crete, that
she escaped, and asks to be directed to household work such as nursing or keeping
house.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Callidice proposes Metaneira’s household
summary: Callidice names honored local men and suggests that Metaneira may invite
the stranger to help raise her only late-born son.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Escort to Celeus’ house
summary: After Demeter assents, the daughters report to their mother, return, and
lead the veiled, dark-cloaked goddess to their father’s house.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine withdrawal from the gods’ assembly
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: Demeter, in grief and anger, avoids the gathering of the gods and high Olympus
and goes among mortal settlements.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives the withdrawal and movement among mortals, but the wider
cause and outcome are outside this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: goddess disguised as an aged mortal woman
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Demeter disfigures her form, appears like an ancient woman, and is not recognized
by mortals.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy term 'shapeshifter' is approximate; the passage
emphasizes disguise or altered form rather than a detailed transformation sequence.
- id: motif:3
label: encounter with disguised deity at a water source
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The disguised Demeter sits by the Maiden Well, where maidens drawing water
encounter and question her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: No broader comparative claim is made beyond the passage-level pattern.
- id: motif:4
label: hospitality offered to a divine stranger
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The maidens invite the unknown stranger toward a household, and Metaneira
asks that she be brought for hire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage has not yet shown the consequences of accepting the divine
stranger.
- id: motif:5
label: divine nurse for a prayed-for child
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Demeter states that she can nurse a newborn child, and Callidice identifies
Metaneira’s only late-born son as a possible charge.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The child’s later significance is not contained in this excerpt.
- id: motif:6
label: false captivity and escape tale
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Demeter, under the name Doso, says she was taken from Crete by pirates and
escaped secretly before arriving unknown in the land.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: Within the passage this is a narrated claim by the disguised goddess;
the extractor does not verify it against material outside the excerpt.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: ll. 90-94
quote_or_summary: Demeter’s grief and anger increase; she is angered with the dark-clouded
Son of Cronos, avoids Olympus, goes among mortals, and disfigures her form so
mortals do not know her.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: ll. 95-103
quote_or_summary: At Eleusis, Demeter sits by the wayside near the Maiden Well in
a shady place with an olive shrub, appearing like an ancient woman or nurse/housekeeper.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: ll. 104-112
quote_or_summary: The four daughters of Celeus—Callidice, Cleisidice, Demo, and
Callithoe—come to draw water in bronze pitchers, see the goddess, and do not know
her as divine.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: ll. 113-117
quote_or_summary: The maidens address her as old mother, ask where she is from,
and ask why she keeps away from the city houses where women would welcome her.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: ll. 118-132
quote_or_summary: The goddess answers that her name is Doso, says she came unwillingly
from Crete by sea after pirates carried her off, and says she escaped them secretly.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: ll. 133-144
quote_or_summary: Doso asks the maidens to pity her, direct her to a household,
and says she can nurse a newborn child, keep house, spread a bed, or teach women’s
work.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: ll. 145-158
quote_or_summary: Callidice answers, says mortals must bear what the gods send,
and lists local men of power and honor including Triptolemus, Dioclus, Polyxeinus,
Eumolpus, Dolichus, and Celeus.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: ll. 159-168
quote_or_summary: Callidice says the households would welcome the stranger, proposes
telling Metaneira, and describes Metaneira’s only late-born son, a child of many
prayers, whom the stranger might raise for gifts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: ll. 169-183
quote_or_summary: The goddess bows assent; the maidens fill their vessels, report
to their mother, receive instructions to invite the stranger, return, and lead
the veiled, dark-cloaked goddess to their father’s house.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strong for the provided passage. Motif labels are passage-level
candidates; taxonomy mapping is limited where the supplied taxonomy lacks exact
labels for disguise, hospitality, and divine nursing.
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 make an explicit cross-textual or cross-traditional comparison.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg__l5265-l5347
passage_sha256=af5e85ed0a4e8f5c21eaad10ad4fcd33f3edbe3c7b763bb37d9216f96fe1b846