batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l5810-l5905
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l5810-l5905
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
passage_locator:
label: I. TO DIONYSUS 2501 / II. TO DEMETER / III. TO DELIAN APOLLO / TO PYTHIAN
APOLLO; lines 5810-5905
start: '5810'
end: '5905'
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: Apollo is described as lord of several places and especially Delos. He
travels to Pytho playing the lyre, then swiftly reaches Olympus, where gods, Muses,
and other deities join in song, dance, and delight. The hymn turns to Apollo's
search for a place to establish an oracle, recounting his journey through many
regions, the chariot rite at Poseidon's grove of Onchestus, his encounter with
Telphusa, and Telphusa's successful attempt to redirect him from her site to Crisa
below Parnassus, where he resolves to build his temple.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Apollo is associated with Lycia, Maeonia, Miletus, and Delos, with Delos singled
out as a place where he greatly reigns.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Apollo goes to rocky Pytho while playing a hollow lyre and wearing divine,
perfumed garments.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Apollo travels from earth to Olympus and joins the gathering of the gods in
the house of Zeus.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The gods attend to lyre and song; the Muses sing of divine gifts and mortal
sufferings, including death and old age.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Several goddesses dance together, Artemis sings among them, Ares and the Slayer
of Argus sport, and Zeus and Leto rejoice while watching Apollo.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The narrator frames Apollo's journey as a search across the earth for a place
of oracle for men.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: At Onchestus, in Poseidon's grove, a rite involves horses pulling an empty
chariot; if the chariot breaks, it is left there for the god.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Apollo crosses the sweet stream of Cephissus and continues through Ocalea
and Haliartus.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Apollo tells Telphusa that he intends to build a temple and oracle where people
from many regions will bring hecatombs and receive unfailing counsel.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Telphusa advises Apollo to build at Crisa below Parnassus, claiming horses
and chariots would disturb and distract from his temple at her site.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: The passage states that Telphusa persuaded Apollo because she wanted renown
there for herself rather than for the Far-Shooter.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Apollo reaches Crisa beneath snowy Parnassus, where a cliff and hollow glade
are described, and he resolves to make his temple there.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Phoebus Apollo / Far-Shooter
description: Leto's son, lyre-player, traveler, and intended founder of a temple
and oracle.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Zeus
description: Host of the Olympian house and father who rejoices while watching Apollo
play.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Leto
description: Gold-tressed mother of Apollo who rejoices with Zeus as Apollo plays
among the gods.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Muses
description: Divine singers who answer one another in song about divine gifts and
mortal sufferings.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Dancing and sporting deities
description: The Graces, Seasons, Harmonia, Hebe, Aphrodite, Artemis, Ares, and
the keen-eyed Slayer of Argus appear in the Olympian scene of dance, song, or
sport.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Telphusa
description: A local speaking figure at the pleasant place where Apollo first intends
to build; she counsels him to build elsewhere.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Poseidon
description: Lord associated with the bright grove and shrine at Onchestus.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Human oracle seekers and sacrificers
description: People from Peloponnesus, Europe, wave-washed isles, and nearby tribes
who are expected to seek oracles and bring hecatombs, gifts, or sacrifices.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Chariot drivers and horses at Onchestus
description: Drivers, horses, and colts involved in the rite at Poseidon's grove.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine musician
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Apollo plays the lyre at Pytho and among the gods on Olympus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: oracle-site seeker and temple founder
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Apollo travels in search of a place of oracle and resolves to build a temple.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:3
label: divine parents observing their son
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
basis: Zeus and Leto rejoice while watching their dear son Apollo playing among
the gods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: Olympian performers and companions
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: The Muses sing and other deities dance, sing, or sport in the Olympian assembly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: local counselor with self-interested motive
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Telphusa counsels Apollo to build elsewhere, and the passage states she wants
renown for herself at that place.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: lord of a grove shrine
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Drivers pray to the lord of the Onchestus shrine, and the grove is identified
as Poseidon's.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: recipients of oracle and bringers of offerings
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: People are described as coming to seek oracles and bringing hecatombs, gifts,
or sacrifices.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: participants in chariot rite
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The Onchestus passage describes drivers, horses, an empty car, and the dedication
of the chariot to the god.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Apollo's lyre
literal_form: Hollow lyre touched by a golden key
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: Olympian divine assembly
literal_form: Olympus and the house of Zeus where the gods gather
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: Temple and oracle
literal_form: Glorious temple and oracle for men
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: sym:4
label: Chariot left to the god
literal_form: Empty chariot in Poseidon's grove, left there if broken
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: Sweet and sacred waters
literal_form: Cephissus stream and Telphusa's sacred springs
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: Parnassus and mountain ridge
literal_form: Mountain ridge, snowy Parnassus, cliff, and hollow rugged glade
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: Hecatombs, gifts, and sacrifices
literal_form: Perfect hecatombs, gifts, and rich sacrifices brought to Apollo
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Apollo plays among the Olympians
summary: Apollo travels to Olympus with his lyre; the gods, Muses, and other deities
respond with song, dance, and delight while Zeus and Leto watch.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Apollo searches for an oracle site
summary: The hymn presents Apollo as moving through many regions while seeking a
place of oracle for men.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Onchestus chariot rite
summary: At Poseidon's grove, drivers release guidance of the chariot; if it breaks
in the grove, the chariot is left there for the god.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Telphusa redirects Apollo
summary: Apollo proposes building a temple and oracle at Telphusa, but Telphusa
argues that noise and spectacle from horses and chariots would distract from his
shrine and advises him to build at Crisa instead.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Apollo reaches Crisa below Parnassus
summary: Apollo travels past the Phlegyae to Crisa beneath snowy Parnassus and resolves
to make his temple there.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine ascent to the gods' assembly
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
basis: Apollo speeds from earth to Olympus and joins the gathering in Zeus's house.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage describes rapid movement to Olympus, not a mortal ascent or
initiatory ascent.
- id: motif:2
label: divine parent and child delight
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_parent_child
basis: Zeus and Leto rejoice as they watch their son Apollo playing among the gods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The relationship is observational and celebratory in this passage; it
does not narrate birth or conflict.
- id: motif:3
label: quest for a sacred oracle site
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: Apollo travels through multiple regions seeking a place to establish an oracle
for men.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The quest is geographic and cultic; the passage does not frame it as a
mortal mystical quest.
- id: motif:4
label: offerings exchanged for divine counsel
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Apollo's proposed oracle receives hecatombs, gifts, and sacrifices while
providing counsel or answers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The exchange is cultic and institutional; no individual bargain is narrated.
- id: motif:5
label: local sacred power diverts a god's foundation
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: Telphusa persuades Apollo to build elsewhere, with the stated motive that
she alone should have renown at her place.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not call Telphusa a trickster; the motif assignment rests
on her self-interested persuasive redirection.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: ll. 179-181
quote_or_summary: Apollo is linked with Lycia, Maeonia, Miletus, and especially
wave-girt Delos, where he greatly reigns.
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. 182-206
quote_or_summary: Apollo goes to rocky Pytho playing a lyre, then swiftly reaches
Olympus and Zeus's house; the gods, Muses, dancing deities, Artemis, Ares, and
the Slayer of Argus participate in music, dance, or sport, while Zeus and Leto
rejoice at Apollo.
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. 207-228
quote_or_summary: The narrator asks whether to sing of Apollo's wooing or of his
first journey over the earth seeking a place of oracle for men; Apollo travels
from Olympus through several named regions and does not choose the Lelantine plain.
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. 229-238
quote_or_summary: At Poseidon's bright grove of Onchestus, a rite is described in
which horses draw an empty chariot; if the chariot breaks, it is left there, and
the chariot falls to the god.
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. 239-243
quote_or_summary: Apollo reaches and crosses the sweet stream Cephissus, which pours
water from Lilaea, then passes Ocalea and Haliartus.
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. 244-253
quote_or_summary: At Telphusa, Apollo says he intends to build a glorious temple
and oracle where people from many regions will bring perfect hecatombs and receive
unfailing counsel.
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. 254-276
quote_or_summary: Telphusa warns that horses, mules, chariots, and watering at her
sacred springs will distract from Apollo's temple; she advises Crisa below Parnassus,
where people will bring gifts and sacrifices, and the passage says she wanted
renown there for herself and persuaded Apollo.
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. 277-286
quote_or_summary: Apollo passes the Phlegyae and reaches Crisa beneath snowy Parnassus,
where a cliff and hollow rugged glade are described; there he resolves to build
his temple.
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: high
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels
are limited to available taxonomy families and are most secure for ascent, divine
parent-child, and sacred exchange; the Telphusa motif is more interpretive.
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 supplied passage does not itself make an explicit cross-traditional comparison.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg__l5810-l5905
passage_sha256=cb8ee4df85d379983914dba1e8572b0754e39f5a4de3cbb04c6e43e7fdba938a