batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l12923-l13064
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l12923-l13064
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
passage_locator:
label: ARGUMENT. / THE BATTLE AT THE GRECIAN WALL. / BOOK XIII. / ARGUMENT.; lines
12923-13064
start: '12923'
end: '13064'
translation: The Iliad
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: In a battle at the Greek wall, Idomeneus kills Othryoneus, mocks his promised
marriage bargain for Cassandra, then kills Asius. Antilochus kills Asius' charioteer
and takes the horses. Deiphobus retaliates by killing Hypsenor, whose body is
shielded and removed by Greek companions. Neptune disables Alcathous, allowing
Idomeneus to kill him; Idomeneus boasts of his descent from Jove through Minos
and Deucalion. Deiphobus then seeks Aeneas to help defend Alcathous' remains and
avenge him.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Othryoneus came from Cabesus seeking Cassandra's love and offering promised
conquest as a marriage dower.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Idomeneus kills Othryoneus with a Cretan javelin and drags away his bloody
corpse while mocking the promised contract with the Phrygian king.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Asius advances before his chariot, hoping to conquer Idomeneus, but Idomeneus
strikes him in the throat with a spear.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Asius is compared to a felled oak, poplar, or pine, and he falls before his
horses.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Asius' frightened charioteer does not flee and is killed by Antilochus under
the chariot.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The horses of Asius become the prize of Nestor's son.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Deiphobus throws a spear at Idomeneus, but Idomeneus deflects it with his
shield; the spear instead pierces Hypsenor's breast.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Deiphobus declares that Asius does not lie unattended or unavenged and says
Hypsenor will accompany Asius' shade through hell's portals.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Antilochus shields the fallen Hypsenor, and Mecistheus and Alastor carry the
body to the ships' shore.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Neptune covers Alcathous' eyes with a cloud and fetters every limb, so Alcathous
stands fixed and receives Idomeneus' lance.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Idomeneus boasts over Alcathous' body that three Trojan ghosts answer one
Greek and challenges Deiphobus.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Idomeneus claims descent from Jove through Minos and Deucalion and says he
reigns over Crete.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: Deiphobus hesitates between facing Idomeneus alone and seeking help, then
goes to Aeneas.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:14
text: Deiphobus asks Aeneas to defend Alcathous' remains, saying Alcathous was Aeneas'
brother and friend and cared for him in youth.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Idomeneus
description: Cretan warrior and king who kills Othryoneus, Asius, and Alcathous,
deflects Deiphobus' spear, and claims descent from Jove.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:6
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Othryoneus
description: Warrior from Cabesus who sought Cassandra's love and promised conquest
as dower; killed by Idomeneus.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Cassandra
description: Desired bride whose love Othryoneus sought as part of a promised conquest
bargain.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Phrygian king
description: King said to have consented to Othryoneus' promised marriage bargain.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Asius
description: Trojan warrior who advances before his chariot to attack Idomeneus
and is killed by a spear-thrust to the throat.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Asius' charioteer
description: Trembling charioteer of Asius who remains motionless and is killed
beneath the car.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Antilochus / Nestor's son
description: Greek warrior who kills Asius' charioteer, receives Asius' horses as
prize, and shields Hypsenor's body.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Deiphobus
description: Trojan warrior who attempts to strike Idomeneus, kills Hypsenor instead,
boasts over the death, and seeks Aeneas' help.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Hypsenor
description: Greek chief called his people's guardian; killed by Deiphobus' spear.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Mecistheus
description: Greek companion who helps carry Hypsenor's body to the tented shore.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Alastor
description: Greek companion who helps carry Hypsenor's body to the tented shore.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Alcathous
description: Trojan hero, son of syetes and husband of Hippodame, immobilized by
Neptune and killed by Idomeneus.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:10
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Neptune
description: Divine figure who clouds Alcathous' eyes and fetters his limbs before
Idomeneus strikes him.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Jove
description: Divine ancestor in Idomeneus' claimed genealogy; father of Minos by
a mortal woman.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Minos
description: Guardian of his country and son of Jove in Idomeneus' genealogy.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:16
name_or_label: Deucalion
description: Blameless prince and heir of Minos in Idomeneus' genealogy.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:17
name_or_label: Aeneas
description: Trojan prince sought by Deiphobus as an ally to defend Alcathous' remains
and avenge him.
role_refs:
- role:10
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:18
name_or_label: Hippodame
description: Wife of Alcathous, described as divinely fair and beloved by parents
and husband.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:19
name_or_label: Anchises
description: Father of Hippodame, who is described as his eldest hope and darling
care.
role_refs:
- role:16
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: battlefield slayer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
basis: These figures kill opponents in the battle sequence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:2
label: marriage bargain suitor
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Othryoneus seeks Cassandra and offers conquest as dower.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: slain warrior or victim
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:9
- fig:12
basis: Each is killed in the narrated battle actions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: promised beloved
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Cassandra is the woman Othryoneus seeks to gain through his promised military
service.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: consenting king in martial marriage contract
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The king consents to Othryoneus' proposed bargain, though fate refuses it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: Cretan king
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Idomeneus states that he reigns over spacious Crete.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: chariot fighter
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Asius fights before his chariot with horses and a squire behind him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:8
label: boaster of divine lineage
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Idomeneus claims descent from Jove through Minos and Deucalion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: protector or bearer of fallen comrade
assigned_to:
- fig:7
- fig:10
- fig:11
basis: Antilochus shields the body, and Mecistheus and Alastor carry it away.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: vengeance-seeking ally seeker
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:17
basis: Deiphobus seeks Aeneas' aid to avenge and defend Alcathous.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:11
label: divinely immobilized victim
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Neptune clouds Alcathous' eyes and fetters his limbs before he is struck.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:12
label: divine battle intervener
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Neptune directly disables Alcathous during battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:13
label: genealogical ancestor
assigned_to:
- fig:14
- fig:15
- fig:16
basis: Jove, Minos, and Deucalion are named in Idomeneus' ancestry.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:14
label: called defender of remains
assigned_to:
- fig:17
basis: Deiphobus asks Aeneas to defend Alcathous' loved remains.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:15
label: beloved wife
assigned_to:
- fig:18
basis: Hippodame is named as Alcathous' spouse and is said to charm her husband
and parents.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:16
label: caring father
assigned_to:
- fig:19
basis: Hippodame is described as Anchises' eldest hope and darling care.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Cretan javelin or spear
literal_form: Javelin or spear used by Idomeneus to kill Othryoneus, Asius, and
Alcathous.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: shield or targe
literal_form: Spacious shield of bull-hides and brazen orbits that protects Idomeneus
from Deiphobus' lance.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:3
label: chariot and horses
literal_form: Asius' chariot and horses, left after his death and taken as prize
by Nestor's son.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: felled tree simile
literal_form: Mountain-oak, poplar, or pine felled by axes, used as the comparison
for Asius' fall.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:5
label: hell's portals and shade
literal_form: Black portals of hell and the melancholy shade named in Deiphobus'
boast over Hypsenor.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: cloud over eyes and fettered limbs
literal_form: A cloud over Alcathous' eyes and fetters on every limb imposed by
Neptune.
associated_figures:
- fig:12
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: corpse or remains to be defended
literal_form: The bodies of slain warriors are dragged, shielded, carried away,
or defended.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:17
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Idomeneus kills Othryoneus and mocks the marriage bargain
summary: Othryoneus, who sought Cassandra as reward for conquest, is killed by Idomeneus,
who mocks the failed contract and drags the corpse away.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Asius and his charioteer fall
summary: Asius advances against Idomeneus but is killed by a spear; his charioteer
freezes and is killed by Antilochus, and the horses become Antilochus' prize.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Deiphobus kills Hypsenor after missing Idomeneus
summary: Deiphobus' spear is deflected by Idomeneus' shield and strikes Hypsenor
instead; Deiphobus boasts that Asius is avenged.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Greek companions recover Hypsenor's body
summary: Antilochus shields the slain Hypsenor, and Mecistheus and Alastor carry
the body to the shore.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Neptune immobilizes Alcathous and Idomeneus kills him
summary: Neptune clouds Alcathous' eyes and fetters his limbs, leaving him fixed
like a column or rooted oak; Idomeneus' lance pierces him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:18
- fig:19
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:6
label: Idomeneus asserts divine descent
summary: Over Alcathous, Idomeneus challenges Deiphobus and identifies himself as
descended from Jove through Minos and Deucalion, ruler over Crete.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
- fig:14
- fig:15
- fig:16
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:7
label: Deiphobus seeks Aeneas for vengeance and corpse defense
summary: Deiphobus decides not to face Idomeneus alone, seeks Aeneas, and asks him
to defend Alcathous' remains and avenge the death.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:12
- fig:17
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Warrior wins or claims bride through promised conquest
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Othryoneus seeks Cassandra and offers conquest as the dower, with the king
consenting before the suitor dies.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The episode presents a martial marriage bargain, but not a completed marriage
or abduction.
- id: motif:2
label: Corpse defense and removal in battle
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Idomeneus drags Othryoneus' body; Antilochus shields Hypsenor; Mecistheus
and Alastor carry Hypsenor away; Deiphobus asks Aeneas to defend Alcathous' remains.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: This is a battlefield pattern rather than one of the supplied named motif
families.
- id: motif:3
label: Vengeance killing and exchange of the dead
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Deiphobus frames Hypsenor's death as revenge for Asius and Idomeneus boasts
that one Greek is answered by three Trojan ghosts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is internal to the battle sequence and does not establish a
broader comparative claim by itself.
- id: motif:4
label: Divine intervention disables a warrior
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Neptune covers Alcathous' eyes with a cloud and fetters his limbs, allowing
Idomeneus' attack to land.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives the action but not Neptune's larger motive.
- id: motif:5
label: Divine descent used to assert heroic and royal status
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_parent_child
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Idomeneus identifies himself as third from Jupiter, descending from Jove
through Minos and Deucalion, and links this lineage to his rule over Crete and
battlefield challenge.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The genealogy is presented in a martial boast; the passage does not narrate
the divine birth itself.
- id: motif:6
label: Death as passage to shades or hell
taxonomy_refs:
- afterlife_journey_map
basis: The passage repeatedly speaks of slain men going to hell, shades, or death's
eternal gloom, including Deiphobus' image of hell's black portals.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage uses brief afterlife imagery, not a detailed journey or map.
- id: motif:7
label: Felled tree comparison for fallen warrior
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
basis: Asius' fall is compared to a mountain-oak, poplar, or pine cut down by axes;
Alcathous is also likened to a fixed column or rooted oak before being struck.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: These are similes within battle description, not independent cultic tree
symbolism.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 12923-12953
quote_or_summary: Othryoneus comes from Cabesus seeking Cassandra, promising conquest
as dower; the king consents but fate refuses; Idomeneus kills him with a Cretan
javelin, mocks the contract, and drags away the corpse.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 12954-12975
quote_or_summary: Asius advances before his chariot to attack Idomeneus; Idomeneus
spears him through the throat, and his fall is compared to an oak, poplar, or
pine felled by axes.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 12976-12984
quote_or_summary: Asius' charioteer stands frozen in fear, is killed by Antilochus
beneath the car, and Asius' horses become the prize of Nestor's son.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 12985-13003
quote_or_summary: Deiphobus hurls a spear at Idomeneus; Idomeneus ducks under his
bull-hide and bronze-bound shield, and the spear instead pierces Hypsenor's breast.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: 13004-13009
quote_or_summary: '"Not unattended ... Nor unrevenged, lamented Asius lies"; Deiphobus
says a mate will join Asius'' shade through hell''s black portals.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 13010-13018
quote_or_summary: Antilochus grieves, shields the fallen Hypsenor with his buckler,
and Mecistheus and Alastor carry the honored body to the tented shore.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 13019-13044
quote_or_summary: Idomeneus remains in battle and sees Alcathous; Alcathous is named
as son of syetes and husband of Hippodame. Neptune clouds his eyes and fetters
his limbs; fixed like a column or rooted oak, he receives Idomeneus' lance and
dies.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 13045-13058
quote_or_summary: Idomeneus boasts over Alcathous, says three Trojan ghosts answer
one Greek, challenges Deiphobus, and claims descent from Jove through Minos and
Deucalion as ruler of Crete.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 13059-13067
quote_or_summary: Deiphobus is unsure whether to face Idomeneus alone or seek help,
then decides to call Aeneas, who stands in Troy's remoter lines, angered by Priam's
partiality.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 13068-13064
quote_or_summary: Deiphobus asks Aeneas to use his arms, saying Alcathous was Aeneas'
brother and friend, trained his youth, and should have his remains defended and
his death avenged against Idomeneus.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Main battle actions and speeches are clear. Some line subranges are approximate
within the supplied stable passage, and one source-name spelling appears as supplied.
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not make an explicit
cross-traditional comparison.
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: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata. Taxonomy references are limited to available refs and assigned only where directly supported by the passage.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg__l12923-l13064
passage_sha256=fc0615d4438ef1a73152a95158fbeeb661671aaa6f39084860ec9bfc7863fe4a