batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l6080-l6145
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l6080-l6145
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 6080-6145
start: '6080'
end: '6145'
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 reveals himself to Cretan sailors he has brought across the sea,
instructs them to beach their ship, build an altar, make offerings, pray to him
as Apollo Delphinius, and follow him singing to Pytho. The Cretans obey, and Apollo
leads them with his lyre to Parnassus and shows them his sanctuary. When they
ask how they will live in an unproductive land, Apollo tells them to guard his
temple, receive worshippers, reveal his will, keep righteousness, and warns that
disobedience will bring subjection to other men.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Apollo tells the strangers from wooded Cnossos that they will not return to
their former city, houses, and wives.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Apollo says he brought the strangers over the wide gulf of the sea without
intending them harm.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Apollo identifies himself as the son of Zeus and names himself Apollo.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Apollo instructs the Cretans to lower the sail, draw the ship onto land, remove
goods and gear, build an altar on the seashore, light fire, offer white meal,
stand around the altar, and pray.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Apollo says that because he first sprang onto the ship in the form of a dolphin,
they should pray to him as Apollo Delphinius, and the altar will be called Delphinius.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The Cretans obey Apollo’s instructions by lowering the sail and mast, hauling
the ship ashore, making an altar, lighting fire, offering white meal, praying,
eating, and pouring an offering to the Olympian gods.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Apollo leads the Cretans while holding a lyre and playing sweetly; the Cretans
follow him to Pytho, chanting the Ie Paean.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Apollo brings the Cretans to Parnassus, shows them his holy sanctuary and
rich temple, and establishes the place where they are to dwell.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The master of the Cretans asks Apollo how they will live, because the land
is not desirable for vineyards or pastures.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Apollo tells the Cretans that they will have abundant store from what human
tribes bring to him, if they guard his temple, receive those who gather there,
show mortals his will, and keep righteousness.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Apollo warns that disobedience, idle word or deed, or outrage will lead to
other men becoming their masters and subjecting them permanently.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Apollo
description: A god who identifies himself as the son of Zeus, says he brought the
Cretans across the sea, had appeared in dolphin form, leads them to Pytho and
Parnassus, and assigns them duties at his temple.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Cretan strangers / Cretans from Cnossos
description: Men formerly dwelling about wooded Cnossos whom Apollo brings across
the sea, commands to perform ritual actions, and appoints as guardians and ministers
of his temple.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Master of the Cretans
description: The leader or representative of the Cretans who asks Apollo how they
will live in the new land.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Blessed gods who dwell on Olympus
description: The gods to whom the Cretans pour an offering after eating beside the
ship.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Glorious tribes of men
description: Human groups who will bring offerings to Apollo at the temple.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine revealer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Apollo reveals his identity and the future role of the Cretans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: role:2
label: ritual instructor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Apollo gives detailed commands for altar-making, fire, meal offering, prayer,
libation, and procession.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: divine guide
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Apollo leads the Cretans with a lyre to Pytho and Parnassus and shows them
his sanctuary.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: divine patron and judge
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Apollo promises provision through offerings and warns of punishment for disobedience
or outrage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: relocated temple servants
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Apollo says they will no longer return home but will keep his temple.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: ritual performers
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The Cretans obey the ritual instructions and follow Apollo while singing
the Ie Paean.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: spokesman
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The master of the Cretans asks how they will live in the new land.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: recipients of libation
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The Cretans pour an offering to the blessed gods who dwell on Olympus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: future worshippers or offerers
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Apollo says human tribes will bring goods to him at the temple.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: dolphin form
literal_form: Apollo’s earlier manifestation as a dolphin on the ship
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: sea crossing
literal_form: the wide gulf of the sea over which Apollo brought the Cretans
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: altar on the seashore
literal_form: an altar built upon the beach of the sea and named Delphinius
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: ritual fire
literal_form: fire lit on the altar for the white-meal offering
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: white meal offering
literal_form: white meal offered on the altar
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: lyre
literal_form: a lyre held and played by Apollo during the procession
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: Pytho and Parnassus
literal_form: the ridge and place where Apollo’s sanctuary and temple stand
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:8
label: temple store from offerings
literal_form: abundant goods brought by human tribes to Apollo
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Apollo reveals the Cretans’ new vocation
summary: Apollo tells the Cretan strangers that they will not return home, identifies
himself, says he brought them across the sea harmlessly, and appoints them to
keep his honored temple.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Seashore altar and Delphinius rite
summary: Apollo commands the Cretans to beach the ship, build an altar, light fire,
offer white meal, pray around the altar, and invoke him as Apollo Delphinius because
of his dolphin manifestation.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Cretans perform the prescribed ritual
summary: The Cretans obey by securing the ship on land, making the altar, lighting
fire, offering meal, praying, eating, and pouring an offering to the Olympian
gods.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Procession to Pytho and Parnassus
summary: Apollo leads the Cretans with lyre music while they chant the Ie Paean
and arrive at Parnassus, where he shows them his sanctuary and temple.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Question and ordinance for temple service
summary: The Cretan leader asks how they will live in a poor land, and Apollo promises
support from offerings while commanding temple guardianship, reception of worshippers,
proclamation of his will, righteousness, and obedience under threat of subjection.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: god establishes human temple attendants
taxonomy_refs:
- culture_hero
basis: Apollo relocates the Cretans, gives ritual instructions, brings them to his
sanctuary, and assigns them to guard the temple and serve worshippers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy does not include a specific temple-foundation or
priestly-installation category; culture_hero is only a broad fit.
- id: motif:2
label: divine shapeshifting into animal form
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Apollo says he sprang onto the ship in the form of a dolphin, and the Delphinius
name and altar are linked to that manifestation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage refers back to the dolphin appearance rather than narrating
it in full within this excerpt.
- id: motif:3
label: ritual foundation by divine command
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Apollo prescribes altar construction, fire, offerings, prayer, libation,
procession, and the future flow of offerings that will sustain the temple servants.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: Sacred exchange is inferred from ritual service and offerings, but the
taxonomy has no more precise ritual-foundation category.
- id: motif:4
label: divine command with sanction
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Apollo commands righteous temple service and warns that disobedience or outrage
will result in permanent subjection to other men.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The sanction is stated as a warning; no punishment is enacted in the passage.
- id: motif:5
label: separation from homeland and guided relocation
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: Apollo tells the Cretans they will not return to Cnossos and leads them from
the ship to their new dwelling at his sanctuary.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The departure has already occurred by the start of the passage and is
framed as divine relocation rather than voluntary quest departure.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: ll. 474-482
quote_or_summary: Apollo addresses strangers from wooded Cnossos, says they will
not return home, identifies himself as Apollo son of Zeus, and says he brought
them over the sea without intending harm so that they will keep his honored temple
and know the gods’ plans.
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. 482-488
quote_or_summary: Apollo commands them to lower the sail, beach the ship, remove
goods and gear, build an altar on the seashore, light fire, offer white meal,
stand around the altar, and pray.
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. 488-496
quote_or_summary: Apollo says he first sprang onto the ship in the form of a dolphin;
they are to pray to him as Apollo Delphinius, and the altar will be called Delphinius.
He also commands them to eat, pour an offering to the Olympian gods, and follow
him singing the Ie Paean.
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. 502-511
quote_or_summary: 'The Cretans obey: they lower sail and mast, haul the ship to
dry land, make the altar, light fire, offer white meal, pray around the altar,
eat by the ship, and pour an offering to the blessed gods on Olympus.'
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. 511-523
quote_or_summary: Apollo leads with a lyre, playing sweetly; the Cretans follow
to Pytho, chanting the Ie Paean, approach the ridge, come to Parnassus, and are
shown Apollo’s holy sanctuary and rich temple.
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. 524-530
quote_or_summary: The master of the Cretans asks Apollo how they will live, since
he has brought them far from kin and homeland to land lacking desirable vineyards
or pastures.
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. 531-540
quote_or_summary: Apollo says they will always have abundance from what human tribes
bring to him, and commands them to guard his temple, receive gathered tribes,
show mortals his will, and keep righteousness in their hearts.
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. 540-544
quote_or_summary: Apollo warns that if there is disobedience, heedlessness, idle
word or deed, or outrage, other men will become their masters and subject them
forever.
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: The passage is explicit about figures, actions, ritual instructions, and
sanctions. Motif taxonomy mapping is partly approximate because the supplied motif
list lacks exact labels for temple foundation, oracle priesthood, or cult aetiology.
No comparison claims were made because the passage itself does not compare this
account to another tradition or motif family.
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: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata. Internal hymn line references in evidence follow the passage text; source line range is 6080-6145.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg__l6080-l6145
passage_sha256=53f2a83e0a2558ff21f1bd15a802371734a72a9c9225c8072f888548814b5ba1