batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l8083-l8103
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg-l8083-l8103
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
passage_locator:
label: THE EPIGONI / THE CYPRIA / THE AETHIOPIS / THE LITTLE ILIAD; lines 8083-8103
start: '8083'
end: '8103'
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: Fragments attributed through ancient citations describe Menelaus dropping
his sword when seeing Helen's unclad breasts; Aethra escaping from captured Ilium
and being recognized by Theseus' sons, with her release dependent on Helen's consent;
and Neoptolemus taking Andromache, killing Astyanax by throwing him from a tower,
and putting Aeneas aboard ships as an exceptional prize.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Menelaus sees Helen's unclad breasts and casts away his sword.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Aethra leaves captured Ilium and reaches the Hellenic camp.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The sons of Theseus recognize Aethra in the Hellenic camp.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Demophon asks Agamemnon for Aethra; Agamemnon seeks Helen's consent before
granting the request.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Helen grants Demophon's request through a herald.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Neoptolemus leads Andromache to the hollow ships and chooses her as a prize
granted by the Achaean chiefs.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Neoptolemus takes Astyanax from his nurse's bosom, seizes him by the foot,
and throws him from a tower, after which Astyanax dies.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Neoptolemus puts Aeneas aboard sea-faring ships as a prize surpassing those
of the Danaans.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Menelaus
description: A man who catches sight of Helen and throws away his sword.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Helen
description: Woman whose unclad breasts are glimpsed by Menelaus and whose consent
is required for Aethra's release.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Aethra
description: Woman who escapes from Ilium to the Hellenic camp and is recognized
by Theseus' sons.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: sons of Theseus
description: They recognize Aethra in the Hellenic camp.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Demophon
description: He asks Agamemnon for Aethra.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Agamemnon
description: He wishes to grant Demophon's request but waits for Helen's consent.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: herald
description: Messenger sent to Helen regarding Demophon's request.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Neoptolemus
description: Bright son of bold Achilles; takes Andromache, kills Astyanax, and
puts Aeneas aboard ships as a prize.
role_refs:
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Andromache
description: Wife of Hector, chosen by Neoptolemus and given to him by the Achaean
chiefs as a prize.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Astyanax
description: Son taken from his nurse and cast from a tower, dying by bloody death
and hard fate.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: nurse
description: Rich-haired nurse holding Astyanax at her bosom before Neoptolemus
seizes him.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Achaean chiefs
description: They give Andromache to Neoptolemus as a welcome prize.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Aeneas
description: Famous son of horse-taming Anchises, put aboard Neoptolemus' ships
as a prize.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Anchises
description: Father of Aeneas, described as horse-taming.
role_refs:
- role:16
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Danaans
description: Their prizes are compared with Aeneas as Neoptolemus' surpassing prize.
role_refs:
- role:17
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
roles:
- id: role:1
label: disarmed husband or warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Menelaus casts away his sword after seeing Helen.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: beauty whose sight alters action
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Menelaus' glimpse of Helen's unclad breasts precedes his casting away of
the sword.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: person whose consent controls release
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Agamemnon waits until Helen consents before granting Demophon's request for
Aethra.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: escaped captive or refugee
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Aethra steals out of Ilium and comes to the Hellenic camp.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: recognizers of kin or associate
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The sons of Theseus recognize Aethra.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: petitioner
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Demophon asks Agamemnon for Aethra.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: authority granting request conditionally
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Agamemnon wishes to grant the favour but waits for Helen's consent.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:8
label: messenger
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: A herald is sent to Helen.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:9
label: warrior captor
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Neoptolemus takes Andromache and Aeneas as prizes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: killer of child
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Neoptolemus casts Astyanax from a tower, causing his death.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:11
label: captive wife as prize
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Andromache is chosen by Neoptolemus and given to him by the Achaean chiefs
as a prize.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:12
label: child victim
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Astyanax is seized from his nurse and thrown from a tower to his death.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:13
label: child's nurse
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Astyanax is taken from the bosom of his rich-haired nurse.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:14
label: awarders of captive prize
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: The chiefs of all the Achaeans give Andromache to Neoptolemus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:15
label: captive prize
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Aeneas is put aboard the ships as a prize surpassing those of the Danaans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:16
label: named father
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: Aeneas is identified as son of Anchises.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:17
label: comparison group for prizes
assigned_to:
- fig:15
basis: Aeneas is called a prize surpassing those of all the Danaans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: discarded sword
literal_form: sword cast away by Menelaus
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: unclad breasts
literal_form: breasts of Helen unclad
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: Hellenic camp
literal_form: camp outside Ilium reached by Aethra
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: hollow or sea-faring ships
literal_form: ships to which captives or prizes are led or boarded
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: tower
literal_form: tower from which Astyanax is cast
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:6
label: heraldic request
literal_form: herald sent to Helen for consent
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Menelaus disarmed by sight of Helen
summary: Menelaus glimpses Helen's unclad breasts and throws away his sword.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Aethra recognized and requested
summary: Aethra escapes from Ilium to the Hellenic camp, is recognized by Theseus'
sons, and becomes the subject of Demophon's request to Agamemnon, which requires
Helen's consent.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Neoptolemus takes Andromache and kills Astyanax
summary: Neoptolemus leads Andromache to the ships, takes Astyanax from his nurse,
and kills him by casting him from a tower; Andromache is awarded to him as a prize
by the Achaeans.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Aeneas placed aboard ships as prize
summary: Neoptolemus puts Aeneas, son of Anchises, aboard sea-faring ships as an
exceptional prize.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:13
- fig:14
- fig:15
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: sight of beloved or beauty causing weapon to be cast aside
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Menelaus abandons his sword after seeing Helen unclad.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives only a compressed fragment and does not explain Menelaus'
motive beyond the sequence of sight and discarded weapon.
- id: motif:2
label: recognized captive or refugee released by consent of a powerful woman
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Aethra escapes to the camp, is recognized by Theseus' sons, and her release
depends on Helen's consent.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not explicitly call Aethra a captive in this excerpt,
though she exits captured Ilium and is requested from Agamemnon.
- id: motif:3
label: captive woman awarded as war prize
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: Andromache, Hector's wife, is chosen by Neoptolemus and given to him by the
Achaean chiefs as a prize.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy term 'stolen_beloved' is only an approximate family
label; the passage frames Andromache specifically as a war prize, not as a beloved
abducted in a romance pattern.
- id: motif:4
label: child killed by being thrown from a tower
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Astyanax is seized from his nurse and cast from a tower, whereupon death
and fate seize him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: No ritual or cosmological significance is stated in the passage.
- id: motif:5
label: distinguished captive placed aboard ships as surpassing prize
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Aeneas is put aboard ships by Neoptolemus as a prize surpassing those of
all the Danaans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The fragment does not narrate how Aeneas was taken or what later happens
to him.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The Menelaus-Helen episode is explicitly said to be the same account found
in Lesches' Little Iliad and in the Aristophanes/Scholiast citation.
claim_level: same_motif
target: Aristophanes, Lysistrata 155 and Scholiast account of Menelaus seeing Helen
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: This is a source-level comparison stated in the fragment notice; it
does not establish broader historical transmission beyond the cited ancient witnesses.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 8083-8086
quote_or_summary: Menelaus, after glimpsing Helen's unclad breasts, casts away his
sword; Lesches' Little Iliad is said to have the same account.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/hesiod-homeric-hymns-homerica.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 8088-8094
quote_or_summary: Aethra leaves Ilium for the Hellenic camp, is recognized by Theseus'
sons, and is requested by Demophon from Agamemnon; Agamemnon waits for Helen's
consent, which she gives through a herald.
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 8096-8102
quote_or_summary: Neoptolemus leads Andromache to the ships, takes Astyanax from
his nurse, throws him from a tower so that he dies, and receives Andromache from
the Achaean chiefs 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:4
type: summary
locator: lines 8102-8103
quote_or_summary: Neoptolemus places Aeneas, son of Anchises, aboard his sea-faring
ships as a prize surpassing those of the Danaans.
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: high
notes: Literal extraction is straightforward from the supplied fragmentary summaries.
Motif labeling is more tentative where the passage gives compressed action without
extended context.
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 claims are limited to the provided passage and metadata; no external mythographic context has been added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-hesiod-homeric-hymns-evelyn-white-gutenberg__l8083-l8103
passage_sha256=2bfa620b7a3519e5c51d6996b2ccb1e149b150a0e89cb35aa1c91d1ad7c846cd