batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l7456-l7569
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l7456-l7569
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
passage_locator:
label: XXXI. TO HELIOS / XXXII. TO SELENE / XXXIII. TO THE DIOSCURI / HOMERS EPIGRAMS2601;
lines 7456-7569
start: '7456'
end: '7569'
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: A sequence of Homeric epigrams invokes reverence for strangers, memorializes
Midas through a bronze maiden on his tomb, laments a fate assigned under Zeus,
prays to Poseidon for safe sailing and vengeance against a violator of guest-right,
addresses Earth, sailors, a goddess-nurse, potters, and a prosperous household,
and alternates blessings with threats of destructive divine or daemonic intervention.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The opening epigram addresses dwellers of Cyme and urges reverence for one
who needs a home and strangers' dole.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: A bronze maiden set on the tomb of Midas speaks to passers-by and says that
Midas lies buried there while waters, trees, sun, moon, rivers, and sea endure.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: A speaker says Zeus gave him a difficult fate from birth and that his heart
urges him to leave the sacred streets of Cyme for another country.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: A prayer asks Poseidon for a fair wind, safe return for shipmen, arrival near
Mimas, and vengeance on one who deceived the speaker and offended Zeus as lord
of guests.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: A separate address warns sailors to observe reverence due to Zeus, the god
of strangers, because vengeance follows wrongdoing.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Queen Earth is addressed as a bounteous giver of wealth who can be kind to
some and rough to those with whom she is angry.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: An epigram lists children, city towers, horses, ships, wealth, princes, and
a blazing winter fire as visible goods or glories.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: The potters' epigram offers song in exchange for reward, invokes Athena over
the kiln, and asks that pots be well fired, sold in plenty, and profitable.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: The same potters' epigram threatens false-promising potters with kiln destroyers,
Circe's spells, Chiron, Centaurs, broken pots, a shaken kiln, and burned faces.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: A household blessing asks doors to open for Wealth, with Mirth and Peace,
full corn-bins, overflowing dough, and a richly shod daughter-in-law at the loom.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: speaker or poet
description: The first-person voice in several epigrams, including the supplicant
seeking hospitality, the speaker lamenting fate, the petitioner to Poseidon, and
the singer addressing potters.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: dwellers of Cyme
description: People addressed as dwelling in the high city of Cyme near Sardene
and the Hermus stream.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: bronze maiden
description: A bronze female figure set upon the tomb of Midas that speaks to passers-by.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Midas
description: The buried person whose tomb is identified by the bronze maiden.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Zeus
description: Deathless Zeus, Zeus the Father, Zeus who holds the aegis, and Zeus
as lord or god of strangers.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: people of Phricon
description: Horse-riding people who built the towers of Aeolian Smyrna and later
scorned the divine voice and renown of song.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: daughters of Zeus
description: Glorious children who arose at Smyrna and wished to make the country
and city famous.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Poseidon
description: Strong shaker of the earth and ruler of wide-spread, tawny Helicon,
invoked for wind and safe return.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: shipmen or sailors
description: Seafarers who speed and govern a ship, or sailors warned to honor Zeus
of strangers.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: deceiver of the speaker
description: A wretch who deceived the speaker and grieved Zeus the lord of guests
and his own guest-table.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Queen Earth
description: Earth addressed as giver of honey-hearted wealth and as capable of
kindness or anger.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Athena
description: Goddess invoked with hand upraised over the potters' kiln.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: potters
description: Craft workers addressed by the singer, promised song if they reward
him and threatened if they make false promises.
role_refs:
- role:15
- role:16
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: destroyers of kilns
description: 'Named destructive beings: Shatter, Smash, Charr, Crash, and Crudebake.'
role_refs:
- role:17
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Circe
description: Daughter of the Sun and witch, called to cast cruel spells against
potters and their handiwork.
role_refs:
- role:18
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:16
name_or_label: Chiron
description: A figure called to bring many Centaurs to damage the pots and kiln.
role_refs:
- role:19
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:17
name_or_label: Centaurs
description: Many Centaurs, including those who escaped or were destroyed by Heracles,
summoned to wreak havoc on pots and the kiln.
role_refs:
- role:17
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:18
name_or_label: Wealth, Mirth, and Peace
description: Personified blessings that enter a prosperous household in the house
epigram.
role_refs:
- role:20
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:19
name_or_label: son's wife
description: A daughter-in-law imagined driving to the house with mules, wearing
golden shoes, and weaving at the loom.
role_refs:
- role:21
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: supplicant or petitioner
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The speaker asks for hospitality, travel aid, divine help, and rewards.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: role:2
label: singer of blessing and curse
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The speaker offers song for reward and threatens destructive consequences
for false promises.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:3
label: addressees urged to show hospitality
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: They are told to have reverence for one needing a home and strangers' dole.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: speaking memorial object
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The bronze maiden is set on a tomb and tells passers-by that Midas lies buried
there.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: buried king or notable dead
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Midas is named as the one lying buried in the tomb.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: divine father and source of fate
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Zeus is called father and is said to have given the speaker a fate.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: protector of strangers
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Zeus is called lord or god of guests and strangers, whose vengeance follows
wrongdoing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: city builders and rejecters of song
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: They built Smyrna's towers but scorned the divine voice and renown of song.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: divine children associated with song and fame
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: They are daughters of Zeus who wished to make the country and city famous.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:10
label: maritime helper invoked for safe return
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Poseidon is asked for a fair wind and safe return for the shipmen.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:11
label: seafarers
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: They govern a ship or rove the seas.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:12
label: violator of guest-right
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The deceiver grieved Zeus the lord of guests and his own guest-table.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:13
label: giver and withholder of earthly wealth
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Earth is described as bounteous yet rough toward those with whom she is angry.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:14
label: protective deity of craft production
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Athena is invoked over the kiln so that pots and dishes turn out well.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:15
label: craft producers
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: They operate the kiln and produce pots and dishes for sale.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:16
label: potential false promisers
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: The singer threatens them if they are shameless and make false promises.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:17
label: agents of destruction
assigned_to:
- fig:14
- fig:17
basis: They are summoned to sack, shake, overthrow, and damage the kiln and pots.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:18
label: spell-caster
assigned_to:
- fig:15
basis: Circe is called to cast cruel spells against the men and their handiwork.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:19
label: summoner of Centaurs
assigned_to:
- fig:16
basis: Chiron is asked to come and bring many Centaurs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:20
label: personified household blessings
assigned_to:
- fig:18
basis: Wealth enters with Mirth and Peace in the house blessing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:21
label: prosperous household kin
assigned_to:
- fig:19
basis: The son's wife is pictured arriving with mules, golden shoes, and weaving
at the loom.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: water
literal_form: heavenly water, flowing waters, rivers, sea, and stream
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: tree
literal_form: tall trees flourishing near the enduring memorial claim
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: fire
literal_form: raging fire in war, winter house-fire, and kiln fire that can burn
faces
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: sym:4
label: mountain or height
literal_form: lofty Sardene, towering Mimas, windy Ida, and Helicon
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:11
- id: sym:5
label: tomb marker
literal_form: bronze maiden set upon the tomb of Midas
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:6
label: kiln
literal_form: craft kiln where pots and dishes are fired, blessed, threatened, shaken,
and destroyed
associated_figures:
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:14
- fig:15
- fig:16
- fig:17
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:7
label: open doors
literal_form: doors commanded to open by themselves for Wealth to enter
associated_figures:
- fig:18
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:8
label: full grain and dough vessels
literal_form: full corn-bins and overflowing kneading-trough
associated_figures:
- fig:18
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Hospitality appeal to Cyme
summary: The speaker urges the people of Cyme to respect one who lacks a home and
depends on strangers' aid.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Speaking bronze maiden on Midas' tomb
summary: A bronze maiden remains on Midas' tomb and addresses passers-by, marking
his burial as long as natural cycles continue.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Lament over fate and departure from Cyme
summary: A speaker attributes his fate to Zeus, recalls Smyrna and the scorn of
song, and resolves to go to another country.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Prayer for safe sea travel and guest-right vengeance
summary: The speaker invokes Poseidon for fair wind and safe return and asks to
avenge deception against Zeus' guest-table; another address warns sailors about
Zeus' vengeance for offenses against strangers.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Address to Queen Earth
summary: Earth is described as a giver of wealth who can treat different people
kindly or harshly.
figure_refs:
- fig:11
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Winter fire among household goods
summary: The epigram names social, civic, animal, maritime, and household goods,
ending with a blazing fire when Zeus sends snow.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Potters' blessing and curse
summary: The singer offers song for payment, invokes Athena for good pottery and
sales, then threatens false-promising potters with kiln destroyers, Circe, Chiron,
and Centaurs.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:14
- fig:15
- fig:16
- fig:17
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:8
label: Prosperous household arrival
summary: A house is blessed with self-opening doors for Wealth, Mirth, Peace, abundant
food stores, and a prosperous daughter-in-law at the loom.
figure_refs:
- fig:18
- fig:19
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: guest-right protected by divine vengeance
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Zeus is named as lord or god of guests and strangers, and wrongdoing against
guest relations is linked with later vengeance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives an ethical-religious warning, not a full narrative of
judgment enacted.
- id: motif:2
label: supplicant seeks hospitality or aid from strangers
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The speaker asks reverence for one needing a home and elsewhere asks sailors
to take him aboard for a voyage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:12
confidence: medium
cautions: The epigrams are brief appeals rather than a continuous departure narrative.
- id: motif:3
label: speaking memorial object preserves the dead person's name
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A bronze maiden on Midas' tomb announces his burial to passers-by while enduring
natural cycles are listed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly matches a speaking tomb-marker
motif.
- id: motif:4
label: divinely assigned difficult fate at birth
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_parent_child
basis: The speaker says Zeus the Father gave him as prey to a fate while he was
still a babe at his mother's knee.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not identify the speaker's divine parentage; the taxonomy
reference is only approximate because Zeus is the giver of fate, not necessarily
the speaker's parent.
- id: motif:5
label: song exchanged for reward, with curse for broken payment
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The singer promises song if potters reward him, invokes blessing on their
craft, and threatens destructive divine and monstrous agents if they make false
promises.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The exchange is between singer and potters with divine invocation; it
is not a formal covenant.
- id: motif:6
label: craft kiln under divine blessing or supernatural destruction
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
- divine_judgment
basis: Athena is invoked to bless the kiln and pottery, while named kiln destroyers,
Circe, Chiron, and Centaurs are summoned against dishonest potters.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The destructive outcome is conditional and imprecatory, not narrated as
completed.
- id: motif:7
label: personified prosperity enters the household
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Doors are told to open by themselves so that Wealth may enter, accompanied
by Mirth and Peace, with abundant food stores.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly matches personified household
abundance.
- id: motif:8
label: earth as generous and angry giver of wealth
taxonomy_refs:
- mother_goddess
basis: Queen Earth is addressed as bounteous giver of wealth but also harsh toward
those with whom she is angry.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage names Earth as queen and giver, but does not explicitly call
her a mother.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS I, ll. 1-5
quote_or_summary: The speaker tells those dwelling in Cyme to have reverence for
one who needs a home and strangers' dole; the place is by Sardene and the Hermus
stream begotten by Zeus.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; concise summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS III, ll. 1-6
quote_or_summary: A bronze maiden says she is set on Midas' tomb and, while waters,
trees, sun, moon, rivers, and sea continue, tells passers-by that Midas lies buried
there.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; concise summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS IV, ll. 1-17
quote_or_summary: The speaker says Zeus gave him a harsh fate from birth; recalls
Phriconian builders of Aeolian Smyrna and daughters of Zeus; says the men scorned
the divine voice and song; and resolves to leave Cyme for another country.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS VI, ll. 1-8
quote_or_summary: Poseidon is invoked as earth-shaker and ruler of Helicon to give
fair wind and safe return to shipmen, to bring the speaker near Mimas, and to
avenge deception that grieved Zeus lord of guests and the guest-table.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS VIII, ll. 1-4
quote_or_summary: Sailors are warned to observe reverence due to Zeus, god of strangers,
because his vengeance is terrible after sin.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS VII, ll. 1-3
quote_or_summary: Queen Earth is addressed as a giver of honey-hearted wealth who
is kind to some and intractable or rough to those she is angry with.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS XIII, ll. 1-6
quote_or_summary: Children, city towers, horses, ships, wealth, princes, and a blazing
winter fire are listed as crowns, glories, or good sights, especially when Zeus
sends snow.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS XIV, ll. 1-8
quote_or_summary: The singer tells potters he will sing if rewarded, invokes Athena
over the kiln, and asks that pots and dishes be well fired, fetch good prices,
and bring gain.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS XIV, ll. 9-23
quote_or_summary: If potters make false promises, the singer calls kiln destroyers
named Shatter, Smash, Charr, Crash, and Crudebake, then Circe, Chiron, and Centaurs
to ruin pots, overthrow the kiln, and burn a peering potter's face.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS XV, ll. 1-10
quote_or_summary: A prosperous house is approached; doors are asked to open for
Wealth, accompanied by Mirth and Peace; corn-bins and dough are to overflow; a
son's wife arrives with mules, golden shoes, and weaving.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS X, ll. 1-4
quote_or_summary: A pine on windy Ida is contrasted with a future source of iron
loved by Ares when the Cebrenians hold the land.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: HOMERS EPIGRAMS IX, ll. 1-2
quote_or_summary: The speaker tells strangers that a contrary wind has caught them
and asks to be taken aboard so they may make their voyage.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. The epigrams are short
and discontinuous, so motif candidates are mostly local patterns rather than developed
narrative motifs. No external comparison claims were added because the passage
itself does not support them.
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: |-
The supplied locator label includes preceding hymn titles, but the provided passage text begins with HOMERS EPIGRAMS and contains epigrams I-XV with a lacuna in XV.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg__l7456-l7569
passage_sha256=72728af7142d357dd068b17e7defdc715c2b9b9d7835514b8a83ac673fc8cac9