batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l13397-l13534
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l13397-l13534
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
13397-13534
start: '13397'
end: '13534'
translation: The Iliad
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: A counsellor urges Hector to temper fury with deliberation, gather the
Trojan chiefs, and decide whether to burn the Greek ships or withdraw after the
day's gains. Hector accepts, entrusts the post to the counsellor, and seeks other
leaders, finding many wounded or dead. He rebukes Paris, who replies that he has
fought and that several chiefs are slain or disabled. Hector and Paris rejoin
the battle. The Trojan ranks advance in a storm-like mass, with Hector blazing
at the front. Ajax steps forward to defy Hector, saying the Greeks fear Jove rather
than Troy and predicting Troy's destruction and Hector's future flight.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The opening speaker distinguishes warlike ability from wise counsel and says
different gifts are assigned by the gods.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The opening speaker advises Hector to stop his fury, convene the chiefs and
kings, and deliberate whether to burn the Greek ships or leave the fleet after
the day's conquest.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The speaker warns that Achilles remains by the Greek ships and may still affect
the war.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Hector accepts the counsel, leaps from his chariot, orders the speaker to
guard the post and restrain scattered Trojan youths, and goes toward the hard-pressed
heroes.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Hector is compared to a moving snow-topped mountain as he moves through the
host and urges renewed battle.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Hector looks for several Trojan leaders but many are absent because they are
dead, wounded, or dying near the wall and plain.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Hector finds Paris on the left among the troops, cheering them and killing
enemies, and reproaches him for the absence of other leaders and for Troy's danger.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Paris answers that he has used his bow since the rampart fell, reports that
most of the sought chiefs are dead, and says Deiphobus and Helenus remain but
are disabled by spears.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Paris states that he will support Hector as far as his own strength allows,
but that strength belongs to the gods.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: Hector's anger is soothed, and Hector and Paris enter the fiercest part of
the battle.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: The Trojan battalions are compared to a whirlwind and stormy waves, with rank
pressing upon rank.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: Hector is described at the blazing front with a shining shield like the sun,
a radiant helmet, and a terrifying gaze.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:13
text: Ajax advances first among the Argives and defies Hector, saying the Greeks
fear thundering Jove rather than Hector's arm.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:14
text: Ajax predicts that before the Greek fleet burns, Troy and its god-built wall
will be destroyed and smoke on the ground.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:15
text: Ajax predicts that Hector will someday flee across the plain and call on Jove
in vain.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Hector
description: Trojan chief addressed by the counsellor, later accepting counsel,
seeking leaders, rebuking Paris, leading the attack, and being defied by Ajax.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:12
- ev:13
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: faithful friend and counsellor
description: Opening speaker who advises Hector to deliberate and to recognize the
distinct divine gift of wise counsel.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Trojans / Trojan host
description: Troops within and around the wall, many yielding, dispersing, falling,
or later advancing in dense ranks.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:11
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: chiefs and kings
description: Leaders whom the counsellor advises Hector to convene for deliberation.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Achilles
description: Greek warrior said still to remain on the decks and overlook the plains.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Paris
description: Hector's brother and friend, found cheering troops and killing enemies;
he answers Hector and joins the battle.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Deiphobus
description: Sought by Hector; Paris says he remains but is disabled by a hostile
spear.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Helenus the seer
description: Sought by Hector; named as a seer and said by Paris to remain but be
disabled by a hostile spear.
role_refs:
- role:8
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Asius and Asius' son
description: Leaders Hector looks for but does not find; the passage says some of
the missing chiefs are wounded, dead, or dying.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Othryoneus
description: Named by Hector among the absent leaders and described as recently
feared.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Polydamas
description: One of the figures around whom several Trojan warriors stand after
Hector and Paris rejoin the fighting.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Cebrion, Phalces, Orthaeus, Palmus, Polyptes, and two brothers of
Hippotion's line
description: Trojan warriors standing around Polydamas in the battle.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Ajax
description: Argive warrior who advances first and verbally defies Hector.
role_refs:
- role:10
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Greeks / Argives
description: Defenders of the fleet, described by Ajax as humbled by Heaven rather
than by Troy and as still having hands and hearts.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Jove / gods / Heaven
description: Divine powers described as allotting gifts, enabling or withholding
strength, and inspiring fear in war.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
- ev:13
- ev:15
- id: fig:16
name_or_label: Troy
description: The city whose foundations are said by Hector to nod toward ruin and
whose god-built wall Ajax says will fall smoking on the ground.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:14
roles:
- id: role:1
label: warlike leader
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Hector is repeatedly shown directing troops and leading the front of battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:12
- id: role:2
label: recipient of counsel
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The counsellor addresses Hector and advises deliberation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: wise counsellor
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The opening speaker urges Hector to attend to judgment and counsel rather
than fury alone.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: combatant
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:11
- fig:12
basis: These figures are described as fighting, cheering troops, or standing amid
the battle ranks.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: role:5
label: deliberative leaders
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The counsellor says chiefs and kings should be called to council to weigh
the situation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: remaining threat
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Achilles is singled out as still present by the ships and a reason for caution.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: rebuked brother and ally
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Hector addresses Paris as brother/friend and reproves him; Paris promises
support.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: role:8
label: absent or disabled leader
assigned_to:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
basis: Hector seeks these leaders and the passage associates the missing chiefs
with death, wounds, or disablement.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: seer
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Helenus is explicitly called 'the seer.'
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: challenger
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Ajax advances and defies Hector.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: role:11
label: prophetic or threatening speaker
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Ajax predicts the fall of Troy and Hector's future flight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: role:12
label: fleet defenders
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: Ajax speaks for the Greeks as defenders of the fleet and navy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: role:13
label: divine allocator and war power
assigned_to:
- fig:15
basis: The passage attributes counsel, strength, and fear in battle to divine powers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
- ev:13
- id: role:14
label: threatened city
assigned_to:
- fig:16
basis: Troy is described as endangered by vengeance and later predicted to fall
smoking to the ground.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:14
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Trojan fires
literal_form: fires proposed for carrying to the Greek ships
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:14
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: snow-topped moving mountain
literal_form: simile of Hector as a moving mountain topped with snow
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:3
label: storm and waves
literal_form: whirlwind, thunder-bearing clouds, hoary deeps, and waves pressing
waves to shore
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:4
label: sun-like shield and streaming helm
literal_form: Hector's enormous shield shining like the broad sun and his helmet
emitting a stream-like ray
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:5
label: smoking ruin of Troy
literal_form: Troy and its wall predicted to sink smoking on the ground
associated_figures:
- fig:13
- fig:16
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: sym:6
label: falcon wings for flight
literal_form: Ajax says Hector will wish for the wings of falcons for his fleeing
horse
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Counsel to Hector at the wall
summary: A counsellor urges Hector to moderate fury, recognize the value of wise
counsel, gather leaders, and decide whether to burn the ships or withdraw after
success.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:15
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:2
label: Hector accepts and searches for leaders
summary: Hector leaps from his chariot, leaves the post to the counsellor, moves
through the host like a snow-topped mountain, and searches in vain for several
leaders because many are dead or wounded.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:3
label: Hector rebukes Paris
summary: Hector finds Paris fighting on the left and angrily reproves him; Paris
replies that he has fought with his bow, reports the fate of the missing chiefs,
and promises support while acknowledging divine control of strength.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:10
- fig:15
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:4
label: Trojan advance with Hector in the van
summary: Hector and Paris enter the thickest battle, and the Trojan ranks press
forward in a storm-like mass, with Hector shining and terrifying at the front.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: scene:5
label: Ajax defies Hector
summary: Ajax advances to challenge Hector, claims the Greeks fear Jove rather than
Troy, and predicts the destruction of Troy and Hector's future flight.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:13
- fig:14
- fig:15
- fig:16
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- ev:15
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: wise counsel restraining martial fury
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The counsellor explicitly contrasts excellence in war with excellence in
cool thought and urges Hector to cease fury and deliberate.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents counsel in a battlefield context; broader classification
as a wisdom motif should be reviewed.
- id: motif:2
label: divinely allotted capacities and divine control of battle strength
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage repeatedly says gods assign gifts, strength belongs to the gods,
and the Greeks fear Jove rather than Hector.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
- ev:13
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage supports divine agency in war, but 'divine_judgment' is a
broader taxonomy label than the literal wording requires.
- id: motif:3
label: threatened burning of enemy ships
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The counsellor frames a decision about whether to carry Trojan fires to the
Greek ships, and Ajax denies that the fleet will burn before Troy falls.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:14
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy family directly matches a siege-burning motif; the
symbol is fire rather than a cosmic or world-destroying fire.
- id: motif:4
label: prophecy-like taunt of city fall and hero flight
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ajax predicts Troy's smoking destruction and Hector's future flight while
calling on Jove in vain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents this as hostile speech; whether it functions as prophecy
depends on wider narrative context not included here.
- id: motif:5
label: hero magnified by natural and celestial imagery
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Hector is likened to a snow-topped mountain and described with a shield like
the sun and radiant helmet.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: This is an imagistic pattern rather than a narrative motif family in the
supplied taxonomy.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 13397-13413
quote_or_summary: The counsellor says war skill differs from wise counsel and that
Jove gives a wise, extensive mind to very few.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 13414-13425
quote_or_summary: The counsellor tells Hector that danger surrounds him, urges him
to cease fury, convene chiefs and kings, and choose whether to burn the Greek
ships or withdraw after the day's conquest.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: quote
locator: lines 13426-13429
quote_or_summary: '"Achilles, great Achilles, yet remains / On yonder decks, and
yet oerlooks the plains!"'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quote.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 13430-13438
quote_or_summary: Hector approves the counsel, leaps from his chariot, orders the
counsellor to guard the post and restrain scattered Trojan youth, and goes toward
the hard-pressed heroes.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: lines 13439-13445
quote_or_summary: Hector "seems a moving mountain toppd with snow" and moves through
the host to rouse battle.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quote.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 13446-13455
quote_or_summary: Hector looks for Deiphobus, Helenus, Asius' son, and Asius, but
many chiefs are missing because some are dead, some wounded, and some dying on
the wall.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 13456-13471
quote_or_summary: Hector finds Paris cheering the troops and dealing deaths, rebukes
him, asks where the absent chiefs are, and says avenging gods threaten Paris and
Troy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 13472-13483
quote_or_summary: Paris replies that since the rampart fell he has used his bow;
the chiefs sought lie slain, except Deiphobus and Helenus, who remain disabled
by spears.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: lines 13484-13488
quote_or_summary: Paris promises to support Hector and says, "strength is of the
gods alone."
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quote.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 13489-13496
quote_or_summary: Hector's anger is soothed; Hector and Paris mingle in the thickest
rage near Polydamas, Cebrion, Phalces, Orthaeus, Palmus, Polyptes, and two brothers
of Hippotion's line.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 13497-13508
quote_or_summary: The advancing battalions are compared to a whirlwind carrying
Jove's thunder and to waves rolling and foaming toward shore.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 13509-13518
quote_or_summary: Hector shines in the blazing van like Mars; his shield is like
the broad sun, his helmet emits rays, and his look spreads terror.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 13519-13527
quote_or_summary: Ajax advances first and defies Hector, saying the Greeks fear
thundering Jove rather than Hector's arm, and that Greece is humbled by Heaven
rather than Troy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: lines 13528-13532
quote_or_summary: Ajax says that before the Greek navy falls in flames, Troy and
its god-built wall will sink beneath the Greeks, smoking in ruin.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:15
type: summary
locator: lines 13533-13534
quote_or_summary: Ajax says Hector will one day call on Jove in vain and wish for
falcon wings for his fleeing horse while dust hides his shame.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Literal scene and figure extraction is well supported by the supplied passage.
Motif taxonomy assignment is cautious because the available motif families do
not include several battle-specific patterns. No comparison claims were added
because the passage itself does not explicitly support cross-text or cross-tradition
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 supplied passage and metadata. Proper-name identifications beyond the passage were avoided where not explicit.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg__l13397-l13534
passage_sha256=0290debf188fa33bce63ff3dceb5a703c91300182a25893f0e98f4e3e8eaf0c4