batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l7639-l7678
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l7639-l7678
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
passage_locator:
label: FRAGMENTS OF THE EPIC CYCLE / THE WAR OF THE TITANS / THE STORY OF OEDIPUS
/ THE THEBAID; lines 7639-7678
start: '7639'
end: '7678'
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: The passage gives fragmentary testimonia and excerpts for the Thebaid.
It reports an opening invocation, a scene in which Polyneices sets a silver table
and golden cup before Oedipus, Oedipus recognizes ancestral treasures and curses
his sons to quarrel over inheritance, and the Fury hears him. Another fragment
says Oedipus, angered by a haunch, prays to Zeus and the gods that each son die
by the other's hand and go to Hades. Other fragments mention Adrastus fleeing
with Areion, rites for seven dead at Thebes and a lament for a seer-warrior, Oeneus
receiving Periboea as a prize, and variant accounts of who killed Parthenopaeus.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The Thebaid is described as an epic in seven thousand verses, beginning with
an invocation to a goddess concerning parched Argos.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Polyneices sets before Oedipus a silver table formerly belonging to Cadmus
and fills a golden cup with sweet wine.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Oedipus recognizes treasures of his father and is emotionally distressed.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Oedipus calls down curses in the presence of both his sons, asking that they
not divide their father's goods in loving brotherhood but have war and fighting
as their portion.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The avenging Fury of the gods hears Oedipus's prayer.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: After noticing a haunch, Oedipus throws it on the ground and says his sons
have mocked him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Oedipus prays to Zeus and the other deathless gods that each son fall by his
brother's hand and go to Hades.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Adrastus flees from Thebes in miserable garments and takes black-maned Areion
with him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: After seven dead receive last rites in Thebes, the Son of Talaus laments the
loss of a host described as both seer and spearman.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Oeneus marries Periboea, daughter of Hipponous, and one report says he received
her as a prize after Olenus was stormed.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: A tomb of Asphodicus is near a spring; Thebans say Asphodicus killed Parthenopaeus,
while the Thebais is reported to say Periclymenus killed him.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Oedipus
description: Recipient of Polyneices' table and cup; father who curses his sons
and prays for their mutual death.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Polyneices
description: Heaven-born, golden-haired hero who sets a silver table and golden
cup before Oedipus.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Oedipus's sons
description: Both sons are present for Oedipus's curse and are the targets of his
prayer that each die by his brother's hand.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Cadmus
description: Described as divinely wise; former owner of the silver table set before
Oedipus.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Avenging Fury of the gods
description: Divine avenger who hears Oedipus's prayer.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Zeus and the other deathless gods
description: Divine figures addressed by Oedipus in his prayer against his sons.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Adrastus
description: A fugitive from Thebes wearing miserable garments; takes Areion with
him.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Areion
description: Black-maned horse or being taken by Adrastus during flight from Thebes.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Son of Talaus
description: Speaker who laments after the seven dead receive last rites in Thebes.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Unnamed host, seer, and spearman
description: Figure mourned by the Son of Talaus as the bright eye of his host,
a seer and spearman.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Oeneus
description: Marries Periboea and is said to receive her as a prize after Olenus
is stormed.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Periboea
description: Daughter of Hipponous; marries Oeneus and is said to be received by
him as a prize.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Asphodicus
description: Associated with a tomb near a spring; in the Theban account, killer
of Parthenopaeus.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Parthenopaeus
description: Son of Talaus; killed in the battle against the Argives according to
the cited accounts.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Periclymenus
description: Named in the Thebais account as the killer of Parthenopaeus.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: father
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Oedipus reacts to his father's treasures and curses both his sons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: curser
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Oedipus calls down curses and prays for his sons' mutual destruction.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:3
label: son presenting ancestral objects
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Polyneices sets Cadmus's silver table and a golden cup before Oedipus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: cursed brothers
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Oedipus curses both sons to war over goods and prays each will fall by the
other's hand.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: ancestral owner
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The silver table is said to have once belonged to Cadmus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: divine hearer of curse
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The avenging Fury of the gods hears Oedipus's prayer.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: invoked gods
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Oedipus prays to Zeus and the other deathless gods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: fugitive
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Adrastus flees from Thebes in miserable garments.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: companion taken in flight
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Adrastus takes black-maned Areion with him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:10
label: mourner
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The Son of Talaus laments among the seven dead after last rites.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:11
label: mourned seer-warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The lamented host is called a good seer and stout spearman.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:12
label: husband and recipient of war prize
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Oeneus marries Periboea and is said to receive her as a prize.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:13
label: bride and prize
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Periboea is named as Oeneus's wife and as a prize after Olenus is stormed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:14
label: reported killer
assigned_to:
- fig:13
- fig:15
basis: Different reports name Asphodicus or Periclymenus as the killer of Parthenopaeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:15
label: slain warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: Parthenopaeus is the person whose killer is disputed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: ancestral silver table
literal_form: rich table of silver formerly belonging to Cadmus
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: golden cup with wine
literal_form: fine golden cup filled with sweet wine
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: paternal goods
literal_form: father's goods to be divided by the sons
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: haunch
literal_form: haunch thrown on the ground by Oedipus
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: house of Hades
literal_form: destination to which Oedipus prays his sons will go after death
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: black-maned Areion
literal_form: black-maned Areion taken during Adrastus's flight
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: tomb near spring
literal_form: tomb of Asphodicus near a spring
associated_figures:
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Opening of the Thebaid
summary: The epic is described as beginning with an invocation to a goddess about
parched Argos.
figure_refs: []
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Oedipus curses his sons over ancestral treasures
summary: Polyneices presents a silver table and golden cup to Oedipus; Oedipus recognizes
ancestral treasures, becomes distressed, and curses his sons to conflict over
their father's goods, with the Fury hearing him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Prayer for fraternal mutual death
summary: Oedipus throws down a haunch after taking it as mockery and prays to Zeus
and the deathless gods that each son die by his brother's hand and descend to
Hades.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Adrastus flees Thebes
summary: Adrastus flees Thebes in miserable garments and takes black-maned Areion
with him.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Rites and lament for the dead
summary: After seven dead receive last rites in Thebes, the Son of Talaus laments
a missing host who was both seer and spearman.
figure_refs:
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Periboea received as prize
summary: Oeneus marries Periboea; the Thebais is cited as saying that he received
her as a prize after Olenus was stormed.
figure_refs:
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Disputed killer of Parthenopaeus
summary: A tomb near a spring is linked to Asphodicus; Thebans say Asphodicus killed
Parthenopaeus, while a cited Thebais account names Periclymenus.
figure_refs:
- fig:13
- fig:14
- fig:15
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: paternal curse causing fraternal conflict
taxonomy_refs:
- sibling_pair
basis: Oedipus curses both sons so that they will not divide their father's goods
in loving brotherhood but will have war and fighting, and another fragment has
him pray that each die by his brother's hand.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage names Polyneices but does not name the other brother in this
excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: divine hearing of a destructive prayer
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The avenging Fury of the gods is said not to fail to hear Oedipus's curse,
and Oedipus also prays to Zeus and the other deathless gods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The fragment reports divine hearing and invocation but does not narrate
the later fulfillment within this passage.
- id: motif:3
label: ancestral objects triggering curse
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Oedipus recognizes the silver table and golden cup as paternal or ancestral
treasures and then curses his sons over the division of his father's goods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The exact ritual or symbolic function of the table and cup is not explained
in the passage.
- id: motif:4
label: funeral rites followed by lament
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage says seven dead receive last rites in Thebes and that the Son
of Talaus laments a missing seer-warrior.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The fragment is brief and does not detail the rites.
- id: motif:5
label: woman received as war prize
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The cited Thebais report says Oeneus received Periboea as a prize after Olenus
was stormed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not provide Periboea's perspective or further narrative
context.
- id: motif:6
label: variant heroic death attribution
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage preserves conflicting reports about whether Asphodicus or Periclymenus
killed Parthenopaeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: This is a textual-tradition pattern rather than a mythic event motif alone.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The curse narrative can be cautiously aligned with a sibling-pair conflict
motif because the brothers are explicitly made the targets of a father's curse
for war, disputed goods, and death by each other's hands.
claim_level: same_motif
target: sibling_pair
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The excerpt does not name both brothers or narrate the actual battle
outcome.
- id: claim:2
claim: The Fury hearing Oedipus's curse and the invocation of Zeus and the gods
support a cautious divine-judgment classification, focused on divine reception
of a destructive prayer.
claim_level: same_function
target: divine_judgment
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage does not explicitly describe a formal judgment scene or
the fulfillment of the divine response.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 'lines 7639-7643; Thebaid Fragment #1'
quote_or_summary: 'Homer is said to have recited the Thebaid in seven thousand verses,
beginning with an invocation: ''Sing, goddess, of parched Argos...'''
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 'lines 7645-7651; Thebaid Fragment #2'
quote_or_summary: Polyneices, called heaven-born and golden-haired, sets a silver
table once belonging to Cadmus before Oedipus and fills a golden cup with sweet
wine; Oedipus perceives his father's treasures and is grieved.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 'lines 7651-7657; Thebaid Fragment #2'
quote_or_summary: Oedipus calls down bitter curses before both sons, praying that
they never divide their father's goods in loving brotherhood but that war and
fighting be their portion; the avenging Fury hears him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 'lines 7659-7664; Thebaid Fragment #3'
quote_or_summary: Oedipus throws a haunch to the ground, says his sons mocked him,
and prays to Zeus and the deathless gods that each son fall by his brother's hand
and go to Hades.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: 'lines 7666-7667; Thebaid Fragment #4'
quote_or_summary: Adrastus fled from Thebes wearing miserable garments and took
black-maned Areion with him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 'lines 7669-7672; Thebaid Fragment #5'
quote_or_summary: After the seven dead receive last rites in Thebes, the Son of
Talaus laments the absence of the bright eye of his host, described as a good
seer and stout spearman.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 'lines 7674-7676; Thebaid Fragment #6'
quote_or_summary: Oeneus marries Periboea, daughter of Hipponous; the Thebais says
that after Olenus was stormed, Oeneus received her as a prize.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 'lines 7678-7682; Thebaid Fragment #7'
quote_or_summary: Near a spring is Asphodicus's tomb; Thebans say Asphodicus killed
Parthenopaeus, but the Thebais account of Parthenopaeus's death says Periclymenus
killed him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The main curse and fraternal-conflict motifs are explicit. Some surrounding
fragments are brief testimonia, so their motif interpretation is limited.
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: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used. Fragment #7 extends beyond the supplied end line label in the pasted passage text; locator follows the provided passage content.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg__l7639-l7678
passage_sha256=e132b3b28f305b26cbd28e5f7ca7081bd5a61cf26dc9946320933ae805e67480