batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l6801-l6888
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l6801-l6888
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
passage_locator:
label: III. TO DELIAN APOLLO / TO PYTHIAN APOLLO / IV. TO HERMES / V. TO APHRODITE;
lines 6801-6888
start: '6801'
end: '6888'
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: Aphrodite tells Anchises she is a mortal Phrygian woman brought to him
by Hermes to be his wife. She asks for formal marriage arrangements and bride-gifts.
She then causes desire in Anchises, who lies with her. Afterward she makes him
sleep, resumes her divine appearance, wakes him, and reveals her divinity. Anchises
fears harm from union with a goddess, but Aphrodite assures him that he is dear
to the gods and foretells the birth and royal future of their son Aeneas.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Aphrodite answers Anchises by denying that she is a goddess and identifying
herself as a mortal daughter of Otreus of Phrygia.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Aphrodite says Hermes with the golden wand carried her away from a dance of
Artemis, nymphs, and marriageable maidens, and told her she would be Anchises'
wife and bear children.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Aphrodite asks Anchises to take her as unproved in love, show her to his family,
send word to her parents, accept gifts, and prepare an honorable marriage.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Aphrodite puts sweet desire in Anchises' heart, and Anchises is seized with
love.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Anchises says that, if her account is true, neither god nor mortal will restrain
him from lying with her, and that he would willingly go down to Hades afterward.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Anchises takes Aphrodite by the hand and leads her to a couch laid with soft
coverings and skins of bears and lions that he had slain in the mountains.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Anchises removes Aphrodite's jewelry, girdle, and garments and lays them on
a silver-studded seat.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: By the will of the gods and destiny, Anchises, a mortal man, lies with Aphrodite,
an immortal goddess, not clearly knowing what he does.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:9
text: Aphrodite pours soft sleep on Anchises, dresses herself again, and stands
by the couch in a divine form reaching the roof-tree with unearthly beauty shining
from her cheeks.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: Aphrodite wakes Anchises and asks him to consider whether she looks the same
as when he first saw her.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:11
text: Anchises becomes afraid, turns his eyes aside, hides his face with his cloak,
and asks Aphrodite not to leave him palsied after lying with a deathless goddess.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: Aphrodite tells Anchises not to fear harm, says he is dear to the gods, and
foretells a son named Aeneas who will reign among the Trojans with descendants
after him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Aphrodite / Cytherea
description: Daughter of Zeus and immortal goddess who speaks to Anchises as if
mortal, inspires desire, lies with him, resumes divine appearance, and foretells
Aeneas.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Anchises
description: Mortal man, son of Dardanus, addressed as glorious among mortals; he
lies with Aphrodite and is promised a son who will reign among the Trojans.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:4
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Hermes / Slayer of Argus
description: Aphrodite says he carried her away with the golden wand and told her
she would be Anchises' wife.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Artemis
description: Aphrodite says she was taken from the dance of huntress Artemis with
golden arrows.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Otreus
description: Named by Aphrodite in her speech as her supposed father who reigns
over Phrygia rich in fortresses.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Aeneas
description: Future son of Aphrodite and Anchises, named by Aphrodite and foretold
to reign among the Trojans with descendants after him.
role_refs:
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine speaker in mortal guise
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Aphrodite denies being a goddess and presents herself as a mortal Phrygian
woman before later displaying divine form.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:2
label: divine-mortal lover
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:2
basis: The passage explicitly describes a mortal man lying with an immortal goddess.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: desire-causing goddess
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Aphrodite puts sweet desire in Anchises' heart.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: fearful mortal after divine union
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: After recognizing Aphrodite's divinity, Anchises fears being left palsied
because he lay with a deathless goddess.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: prophetic mother
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Aphrodite foretells that Anchises will have a son named Aeneas who will rule
among the Trojans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: mortal father of foretold son
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Aphrodite tells Anchises that he will have a dear son named Aeneas.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: divine carrier in narrated abduction
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Aphrodite says Hermes carried her away from the dance and conveyed the marriage
message.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:8
label: claimed mortal father
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Aphrodite names Otreus as her father in the identity she gives Anchises.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:9
label: foretold child of divine-mortal union
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Aphrodite names Aeneas as the son born from the union with Anchises.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: future Trojan ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Aphrodite says Aeneas shall reign among the Trojans and have continuing descendants.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: golden wand
literal_form: Hermes' golden wand
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: dance of maidens
literal_form: Dance of Artemis, nymphs, and marriageable maidens
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: bride-gifts
literal_form: Gold in plenty and woven stuffs to be sent by the supposed parents
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:4
label: marriage couch
literal_form: Well-spread couch with soft coverings, bear skins, and lion skins
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: removed adornments
literal_form: Pins, twisted brooches, earrings, necklaces, girdle, and bright garments
placed on a silver-studded seat
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:6
label: divine stature and beauty
literal_form: Aphrodite's head reaches the roof-tree and unearthly beauty shines
from her cheeks
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:7
label: cloak-covered face
literal_form: Anchises hides his face with his cloak after seeing Aphrodite's divine
form
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Aphrodite's mortal identity speech
summary: Aphrodite tells Anchises she is mortal, gives a Phrygian lineage, recounts
being carried away by Hermes, and asks for marriage arrangements and gifts.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Desire and acceptance by Anchises
summary: Aphrodite causes desire in Anchises, and he declares that nothing will
restrain him from lying with her, even at the cost of descent to Hades.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Divine-mortal union on the couch
summary: Anchises takes Aphrodite to the prepared couch, removes her adornments
and garments, and lies with her by divine will and destiny.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Sleep and divine revelation
summary: Aphrodite makes Anchises sleep, dresses, appears in divine beauty and stature
beside the couch, and wakes him to ask if she appears as before.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Fear and prophecy of Aeneas
summary: Anchises fears the consequences of lying with a goddess, while Aphrodite
reassures him and foretells Aeneas' birth, kingship, and descendants.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divine-mortal beloved union
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_beloved
- sacred_marriage
basis: The passage centers on Aphrodite, an immortal goddess, causing desire in
and lying with Anchises, a mortal man.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The union is not a formalized marriage in the enacted scene, though Aphrodite's
speech invokes marriage language.
- id: motif:2
label: Goddess in mortal disguise reveals divinity after union
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Aphrodite first claims to be mortal, then after the union appears with divine
stature and beauty and Anchises recognizes her as a goddess.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly names divine disguise or epiphany.
- id: motif:3
label: Foretold child from divine-mortal union
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_birth
- divine_parent_child
basis: Aphrodite foretells that Anchises will have a son named Aeneas who will reign
among the Trojans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The birth itself is not narrated in this passage; it is prophesied.
- id: motif:4
label: Royal legitimacy through divine parentage
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Aeneas is foretold as the son of Aphrodite and Anchises and as a future ruler
among the Trojans with continuing descendants.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage states future rule and descent but does not present a full
political legitimation narrative.
- id: motif:5
label: Narrated abduction from maiden dance to bridegroom
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: In Aphrodite's speech, Hermes carries her away from a company of nymphs and
marriageable maidens and tells her she will be Anchises' wife.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The abduction is part of Aphrodite's presented story to Anchises and is
not independently confirmed within the passage.
- id: motif:6
label: Danger of union with a deathless goddess
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Anchises fears being left palsied because a man who lies with a deathless
goddess is not hale afterward.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly matches this danger motif.
- id: motif:7
label: Bride-gift negotiation and exchange
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Aphrodite asks Anchises to send word to her supposed parents, who will send
gold and woven stuffs as bride-piece before an honorable marriage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is requested within Aphrodite's assumed mortal identity and
is not carried out in the passage.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: ll. 106-142
quote_or_summary: Aphrodite tells Anchises she is not a goddess but a mortal daughter
of Otreus of Phrygia; she says Hermes carried her away from Artemis' dance and
told her she would be Anchises' wife and bear children; she asks for family introduction,
bride-gifts, and marriage preparation.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: ll. 143-154
quote_or_summary: Aphrodite places desire in Anchises' heart; Anchises says no god
or mortal shall restrain him from lying with her and that he would willingly go
down to Hades after reaching her bed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: ll. 155-167
quote_or_summary: Anchises takes Aphrodite by the hand to a couch covered with soft
coverings and animal skins, removes her adornments and garments, and lies with
her, a mortal man with an immortal goddess, by divine will and destiny.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: ll. 168-179
quote_or_summary: Aphrodite pours sleep on Anchises, dresses herself, stands by
the couch in a divine form whose head reaches the roof-tree and whose cheeks shine
with unearthly beauty, then wakes him and asks if she appears as before.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: ll. 180-190
quote_or_summary: Anchises wakes, sees Aphrodite's divine features, becomes afraid,
turns aside, covers his face, and begs not to be left palsied, saying that a man
who lies with a deathless goddess is not hale afterward.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: ll. 191-201
quote_or_summary: Aphrodite tells Anchises to take courage, promises no harm from
the gods, says he is dear to them, and foretells a son named Aeneas who will reign
among the Trojans with descendants after him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized rather than quoted.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strong for the supplied passage. Motif assignments
use only available taxonomy references and remain draft where the taxonomy label
is broader than the passage detail.
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 external comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly compare this episode to another text or tradition.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg__l6801-l6888
passage_sha256=5da4e7106c345f23be2d30653bf236cefdd9718ca807eaa0bf033f5aaa4dec00