batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l6343-l6445
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l6343-l6445
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
passage_locator:
label: II. TO DEMETER / III. TO DELIAN APOLLO / TO PYTHIAN APOLLO / IV. TO HERMES;
lines 6343-6445
start: '6343'
end: '6445'
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 follows an omen and strange tracks while seeking his stolen cattle,
reaches Hermes' cave on Cyllene, confronts the newborn Hermes, threatens him with
Tartarus, and receives crafty denials. Apollo identifies Hermes as a rogue and
future prince of robbers. Hermes uses a bodily omen and sneeze to make Apollo
drop him, then again denies the theft and calls for judgment before Zeus.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Apollo hears a report, sees a long-winged bird, and interprets it as an omen
that the thief is the child of Zeus.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Apollo observes ox tracks that are turned backwards toward the meadow and
additional non-human, monstrous footprints.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Apollo comes to the forested mountain of Cyllene and enters a deep-shadowed
cave in the rock where the nymph bore the child of Zeus.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Hermes lies wrapped like a newborn child, awake but pretending to sleep, with
his lyre under his armpit.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Apollo searches the dwelling and opens closets containing nectar, ambrosia,
gold, silver, and garments.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Apollo threatens to cast Hermes into Tartarus and hopeless darkness if he
does not tell about the cattle.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Hermes denies knowledge of the cattle, claims concern only for sleep, milk,
wrappings, and warm baths, and says he was born yesterday.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Apollo calls Hermes a rogue, deceiver, and crafty in heart, predicts he will
trouble herdsmen, and says he will be called prince of robbers among the gods.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Apollo takes up Hermes, but Hermes sends forth a rude bodily omen and sneezes,
causing Apollo to drop him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: Hermes asks to give and take right before Zeus while again denying that he
stole the cows.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Apollo / Phoebus Apollo / Far-Shooter / Son of Leto
description: A son of Zeus and Leto who seeks his stolen cattle, follows omens and
tracks, enters Hermes' cave, confronts Hermes, and threatens him.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Hermes / Cyllenian Hermes / Son of Zeus and Maia / Slayer of Argus
description: A newborn divine child in swaddling clothes, awake while feigning sleep,
accused of stealing Apollo's cattle, speaking craftily, and associated with a
lyre.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Maia / divine mountain-nymph
description: The nymph and mother of Hermes in the cave on Cyllene.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Zeus, son of Cronos
description: Father of Hermes and Apollo; invoked by Hermes as the authority before
whom right should be given and taken.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:10
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Long-winged bird
description: A bird seen by Apollo and read by him as an omen concerning the thief.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Apollo's cattle / shambling oxen / cows
description: The missing cattle sought by Apollo and repeatedly denied by Hermes.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: seeker and accuser
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Apollo seeks his cattle, follows tracks, confronts Hermes, and demands information.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: accused cattle-thief
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The omen identifies the thief as Zeus' child, and Apollo accuses Hermes in
connection with the missing cattle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:3
label: newborn divine child
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Hermes is swaddled like a newborn and says he was born yesterday.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: crafty deceiver and future robber figure
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Apollo calls him a rogue, deceiver, crafty in heart, and future prince of
robbers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: interpreter of omens and tracks
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Apollo interprets the bird as an omen and comments on the strange cattle
tracks and footprints.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: divine mother in cave setting
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The cave is described as the place where the divine nymph bore the child
of Zeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: divine father and judicial authority
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Zeus is named as Hermes' father and the authority before whom Hermes proposes
judgment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:10
- id: role:8
label: omen-bird
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Apollo reads the long-winged bird as an omen identifying the thief.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:9
label: stolen or missing herd
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Apollo is seeking his cattle, and Hermes denies stealing them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: omen bird
literal_form: long-winged bird
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: reversed cattle tracks
literal_form: tracks of straight-horned oxen turned backwards, with strange non-human
footprints nearby
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: Cyllene mountain
literal_form: forest-clad mountain of Cyllene
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: shadowed cave
literal_form: deep-shadowed cave in the rock
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: lyre hidden with infant
literal_form: lyre kept under Hermes' armpit while he lies swaddled
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: milk of the mother
literal_form: milk of my mother's breast
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- milk
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: Tartarus and hopeless darkness
literal_form: dusty Tartarus and awful hopeless darkness under the earth
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: bodily omen and sneeze
literal_form: a rude bodily messenger followed by a sneeze
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Apollo follows omen and tracks
summary: Apollo interprets a long-winged bird as an omen identifying the thief as
a child of Zeus, then follows reversed cattle tracks and strange footprints while
seeking his oxen.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Arrival at Hermes' cave
summary: Apollo reaches the forested mountain of Cyllene and enters the shadowed
cave where the nymph bore Hermes.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Hermes feigns infancy
summary: Hermes sees Apollo enraged over the cattle and curls up in swaddling clothes
like a sleeping newborn while hiding his lyre.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Confrontation and denial
summary: Apollo searches the dwelling, threatens Hermes with Tartarus, and Hermes
denies knowledge of the cattle while emphasizing his newborn condition and infant
needs.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Apollo names Hermes as robber
summary: Apollo laughs at Hermes' innocent speech and calls him a rogue, deceiver,
and future prince of robbers.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Bodily omen and appeal to Zeus
summary: Apollo lifts Hermes, but Hermes produces a rude omen and sneezes, leading
Apollo to drop him; Hermes then repeats his denial and proposes judgment before
Zeus.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine cattle theft by a newborn trickster
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_theft
- trickster_boundary
basis: The passage centers on Apollo's stolen cattle, an omen identifying the thief
as a child of Zeus, Hermes' crafty denial, and Apollo's naming of Hermes as prince
of robbers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The actual theft is not narrated in this passage, only investigated and
denied.
- id: motif:2
label: miraculous newborn with adult powers
taxonomy_refs:
- miraculous_child
basis: Hermes is described as a newly born swaddled child but is awake, speaks craftily,
keeps a lyre hidden, and is accused of extraordinary cattle theft.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents the contrast between infancy and capability, but
some prior deeds are inferred through accusation rather than directly shown here.
- id: motif:3
label: divine parentage and appeal to divine authority
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_parent_child
basis: Hermes is repeatedly identified as the child of Zeus and Maia, and he proposes
that the dispute be judged before Zeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage uses parentage to identify Hermes and frame authority, not
as the main narrative action.
- id: motif:4
label: underworld punishment threat
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Apollo threatens to cast Hermes into Tartarus and hopeless darkness under
the earth if he does not reveal the cattle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a threat within dialogue, not an enacted descent or afterlife
journey.
- id: motif:5
label: omens guiding pursuit
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Apollo reads a bird as an omen identifying the thief and later says he will
find the cattle by omens after Hermes' bodily sign and sneeze.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: No available taxonomy reference exactly matches omen-guided detection.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: ll. 212-218
quote_or_summary: Apollo hears the old man's report, sees a long-winged bird, interprets
it as an omen that the thief is the child of Zeus, and hurries to Pylos seeking
his oxen.
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. 219-226
quote_or_summary: Apollo marvels at ox tracks turned backwards toward the meadow
and at other footprints unlike those of humans, beasts, or Centaurs.
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. 227-234
quote_or_summary: Apollo comes to forest-clad Cyllene and the deep-shadowed cave
in the rock where the divine nymph bore Zeus' child, then enters the cave.
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. 235-244
quote_or_summary: Hermes sees Apollo angry about the cattle, curls up in fragrant
swaddling clothes like a newborn seeking sleep, though awake, and keeps his lyre
under his armpit.
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. 244-253
quote_or_summary: Apollo perceives the mountain-nymph and her child, searches the
dwelling, and opens closets containing nectar, ambrosia, gold, silver, and garments.
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. 254-259
quote_or_summary: Apollo tells the child in the cradle to tell him of the cattle
or be cast into Tartarus and hopeless darkness under the earth.
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. 260-277
quote_or_summary: Hermes answers craftily, denies seeing or hearing of the cattle,
says he cares for sleep, his mother's milk, wrappings, and baths, claims he was
born yesterday, and offers an oath by his father's head.
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. 281-292
quote_or_summary: Apollo laughs and calls Hermes a rogue, deceiver, crafty in heart,
predicts he will plague herdsmen, and says he will be called prince of robbers
among the deathless gods.
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. 293-303
quote_or_summary: Apollo carries Hermes; Hermes sends forth a rude bodily omen and
sneezes, causing Apollo to drop him; Apollo says he will find the cattle by these
omens.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: ll. 304-312
quote_or_summary: Hermes springs up, asks why Apollo is carrying and harassing him
over cattle, denies stealing or seeing the theft, and proposes giving and taking
right before Zeus.
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: The narrative actions and roles are explicit in the passage. Motif labels
are limited to the supplied taxonomy and to patterns directly supported by this
excerpt. No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not compare
this episode with another tradition or text.
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: |-
All evidence is summarized from the supplied public-domain passage; no external material was used.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg__l6343-l6445
passage_sha256=ff3520e5134bd9b57d7bceb73e18f6c2a73586b9ef7dceec4aed8a0f286f4891