batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l15911-l16050
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l15911-l16050
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
passage_locator:
label: THE FIFTH BATTLE AT THE SHIPS; AND THE ACTS OF AJAX. / BOOK XVI. / ARGUMENT
/ THE SIXTH BATTLE, THE ACTS AND DEATH OF PATROCLUS; lines 15911-16050
start: '15911'
end: '16050'
translation: The Iliad
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Zeus assents to Sarpedon's destined death and the heavens rain blood. Patroclus
and Sarpedon fight; Patroclus kills Sarpedon. The dying Sarpedon commands Glaucus
to defend his body and arms. Glaucus prays to Apollo for healing, and Apollo restores
him. Glaucus rouses Trojan and Lycian leaders to protect Sarpedon's remains, while
Patroclus urges the Greeks to strip the arms and hold the corpse.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The cloud-compeller assents to fate and ratifies the doom, while the heavens
shed a shower of blood over the battlefield.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The god averts his eyes from the plain and laments his son, who is destined
to be killed far from Lycia.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Patroclus throws a javelin that kills Thrasymed.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Sarpedon throws two darts; one misses and the other wounds Achilles' mortal
horse Pedasus, causing the horse to fall and disrupt the chariot.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Automedon cuts the traces with his sword to free the chariot from the dying
horse.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Sarpedon throws a lance that misses Patroclus.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Patroclus' dart pierces Sarpedon in a mortal place near the heart, and Sarpedon
falls like a felled tree.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: The fallen Sarpedon is compared to a bull beneath a lion's paws.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Sarpedon gives Glaucus a final command to lead the troops, avenge his death,
and defend his body and arms from the Greeks.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: The Fates suppress Sarpedon's breath, his eyes darken, and his soul issues
out in a stream of blood.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: Patroclus stands over Sarpedon, treads on him, and draws the weapon from his
heart.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: Glaucus is wounded in the arm and unable to use his spear effectively.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:13
text: Glaucus prays to Apollo, asking the healing god to relieve his wound and restore
his strength so he can guard Sarpedon's remains.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:14
text: Apollo hears Glaucus, restrains the flow of blood, removes pain from the wound,
and renews his spirit.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:15
text: Glaucus rallies Lycians and Trojan leaders, including Agenor, Polydamas, Aeneas,
and Hector, to defend Sarpedon's body.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: obs:16
text: The Trojans grieve Sarpedon as a leader who was a pillar to his country and
to Troy.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: obs:17
text: Patroclus urges Ajax and the Greek forces to guard Sarpedon's body, strip
his arms, and kill the Lycians around him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Zeus / cloud-compeller / Jove
description: A god who assents to Sarpedon's fate, laments him as his son, and does
not save him from death.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:13
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Patroclus
description: A Greek warrior who kills Thrasymed and Sarpedon, stands over Sarpedon's
body, and urges the Greeks to hold and strip it.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:11
- ev:17
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Sarpedon
description: A Lycian leader and son of Jove who is killed by Patroclus and gives
Glaucus a final command to defend his remains.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:16
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Thrasymed
description: A warrior killed by Patroclus' javelin.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Pedasus
description: Achilles' mortal horse of Theban breed, wounded by Sarpedon's dart
and killed or left dying.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Automedon
description: A warrior who cuts the chariot traces to free the chariot from the
dying horse.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Glaucus
description: A Lycian leader wounded in the arm, recipient of Sarpedon's last command,
healed by Apollo, and rallying speaker to the Lycians and Trojans.
role_refs:
- role:8
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:12
- ev:13
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Apollo / Phoebus
description: A healing god who hears Glaucus' prayer and restores his wounded arm
and spirit.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Ajax
description: A Greek warrior whom Patroclus rouses to fight over Sarpedon's body.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Agenor
description: A Trojan or allied leader stirred by Glaucus.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Polydamas
description: A Trojan or allied leader stirred by Glaucus.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Aeneas
description: A Trojan or allied leader addressed by Glaucus.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Hector
description: A Trojan leader addressed by Glaucus who then seeks the foes with vengeance.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- ev:16
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Fates
description: Powers that suppress Sarpedon's breath at death.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine father
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The god laments his son, and Glaucus says Sarpedon is Jove's offspring.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:13
- id: role:2
label: assenter to fate
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The cloud-compeller assents to fate and ratifies the doom.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: victorious warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Patroclus kills Sarpedon and stands over the prostrate prince.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:11
- id: role:4
label: rallying speaker
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Patroclus rouses Ajax and the Greek forces to guard and strip Sarpedon's
body.
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
- id: role:5
label: fallen allied king
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Sarpedon is called a king and Lycian leader who is killed on the field far
from his homeland.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- ev:16
- id: role:6
label: slain combatant
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: Sarpedon, Thrasymed, and Pedasus are each struck down in combat or left dying.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:10
- id: role:7
label: charioteer or handler of horses
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Automedon cuts the traces and frees the chariot from the dying horse.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: wounded suppliant
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Glaucus is wounded, unable to sustain his spear, and prays to Apollo for
aid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- ev:13
- id: role:9
label: defender of remains
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Sarpedon commands Glaucus to defend his body, and Glaucus asks Apollo for
strength to guard the remains.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:13
- id: role:10
label: rallying leader
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: After healing, Glaucus warms his troops and calls on Trojan leaders.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: role:11
label: divine healer
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Apollo restrains Glaucus' blood, removes pain, and restores spirit.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: role:12
label: roused ally
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Patroclus rouses Ajax and the listening bands.
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
- id: role:13
label: summoned Trojan or allied leader
assigned_to:
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
basis: Glaucus addresses these leaders while inflaming the host to defend Sarpedon's
body.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: role:14
label: death-determining powers
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: The Fates suppress Sarpedon's laboring breath.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: blood rain
literal_form: A shower of blood distilled from the heavens over the fatal field.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: blood stream at death
literal_form: A stream or purple flood of blood issuing from Sarpedon's wound as
his soul departs.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:3
label: contested corpse
literal_form: Sarpedon's body and arms lying on the battlefield, sought by both
sides.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:13
- ev:17
- id: sym:4
label: healing hand
literal_form: Apollo's heavenly hand restraining blood and removing pain from Glaucus'
wound.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: sym:5
label: felled tree comparison
literal_form: Sarpedon falling like an oak, poplar, or pine cut by an axe.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: lion and bull comparison
literal_form: Sarpedon's fallen body compared to a bull beneath a lion's paws.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Zeus assents to Sarpedon's fate
summary: The cloud-compeller accepts the destined doom, the heavens rain blood,
and the god grieves for his son who will die far from Lycia.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Combat before Sarpedon's death
summary: Patroclus kills Thrasymed; Sarpedon wounds Achilles' horse Pedasus; Automedon
frees the chariot from the dying horse.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:3
label: Patroclus kills Sarpedon
summary: Sarpedon's lance misses, Patroclus' dart strikes him near the heart, and
Sarpedon falls, described through tree and animal comparisons.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:4
label: Sarpedon's last command and death
summary: Sarpedon commands Glaucus to defend his body and arms; then the Fates end
his breath, and Patroclus removes the weapon from his heart as blood flows out.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:7
- fig:14
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: scene:5
label: Glaucus healed by Apollo
summary: Wounded Glaucus prays to Apollo for healing and strength to defend Sarpedon;
Apollo heals the wound and renews him.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: scene:6
label: Both armies rallied over the body
summary: Glaucus rallies Lycian and Trojan leaders to protect Sarpedon's remains,
while Patroclus rallies Ajax and the Greeks to hold the corpse and strip the arms.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- ev:16
- ev:17
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine parent accepts child's destined death
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_parent_child
basis: Zeus is described as Sarpedon's father, assents to fate, laments him, and
does not avert the death.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives no broader theological explanation beyond fate and lament.
- id: motif:2
label: blood omen from heaven before heroic death
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The heavens rain blood over the field after the doom is ratified and before
Sarpedon's death.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents the blood shower literally in poetic translation;
its omen function is inferred from placement before the death.
- id: motif:3
label: last command to defend the fallen body
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Dying Sarpedon instructs Glaucus to rally troops, avenge him, and prevent
his arms and corpse from being taken by Greeks.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: No external motif taxonomy reference is supplied for corpse-contest or
battlefield honor.
- id: motif:4
label: divine healing in answer to battlefield prayer
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Glaucus prays to Apollo as healing god, and Apollo stops the blood, removes
pain, and restores his spirit.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
confidence: high
cautions: Healing is temporary battlefield aid rather than full restoration from
death.
- id: motif:5
label: contest for the corpse and arms of a fallen hero
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Both Glaucus and Patroclus rally their sides around Sarpedon's body and arms,
one to defend them and the other to strip and hold them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:15
- ev:17
confidence: high
cautions: The passage covers the beginning of the contest, not its resolution.
- id: motif:6
label: heroic death compared to felled tree and prey animal
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_tree_axis
basis: Sarpedon's fall is compared to an oak, poplar, or pine cut down, and also
to a bull under a lion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: low
cautions: The available taxonomy includes tree, but the passage uses the tree as
a simile for bodily collapse; a sacred-tree or axis reading is not directly supported.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: 15911-15915
quote_or_summary: '"Assents to fate" and the heavens distill "A shower of blood"
over the field.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 15915-15917
quote_or_summary: The god averts his eyes and laments his son, destined to be slain
far from Lycian shores.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 15918-15924
quote_or_summary: Patroclus' javelin strikes Thrasymed in the groin, and he falls
to the bloody plain.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 15925-15933
quote_or_summary: Sarpedon's first dart misses; the second pierces Pedasus in the
shoulder joint, and the horse falls, breaking harness and shaking the chariot.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 15934-15940
quote_or_summary: Automedon cuts the traces with his sword and frees the chariot
from the dying steed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 15941-15946
quote_or_summary: Sarpedon hurls a weighty lance over Patroclus' shoulder, where
it spends its force in empty air.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 15947-15958
quote_or_summary: Patroclus' dart pierces Sarpedon near the heart; he falls like
an oak, poplar, or pine cut by an axe.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 15959-15963
quote_or_summary: The dead or dying Sarpedon is compared to a bull beneath a lion,
with the lion grinding the limbs and sucking blood.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 15964-15982
quote_or_summary: Sarpedon tells Glaucus to lead the Lycians, incite them, avenge
his death, and defend his body and arms from a Greek foe.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: quote
locator: 15983-15990
quote_or_summary: The Fates suppress Sarpedon's breath; his eyes darken; blood gushes,
and "the soul issued in the purple flood."
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 15985-15989
quote_or_summary: Patroclus bestrides Sarpedon, treads on his breast, and draws
the weapon from the heart.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: 15991-15998
quote_or_summary: Glaucus is grief-stricken and has a painful arm made useless by
Teucer's dart.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: 15999-16016
quote_or_summary: Glaucus prays to Apollo as healing god, saying Sarpedon lies in
the dust and asking for strength to guard his friend's remains and lead the Lycians.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: 16017-16022
quote_or_summary: Apollo hears, restrains the blood, draws pain from the wound,
and breathes spirit into Glaucus' heart.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:15
type: summary
locator: 16023-16029
quote_or_summary: Renewed by divine aid, Glaucus rouses his native troops and calls
on Trojan leaders including Agenor, Polydamas, Aeneas, and Hector.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:16
type: summary
locator: 16030-16043
quote_or_summary: Glaucus urges the Trojans not to forget their allies; they grieve
Sarpedon as a pillar of his country and Troy, and Hector seeks the foes with vengeance.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source summarized.
- id: ev:17
type: summary
locator: 16044-16050
quote_or_summary: Patroclus rouses Ajax and the Greek bands to guard Sarpedon's
body, strip his arms, and kill the Lycians around him.
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 extraction is strongly supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels
are cautious and mostly not tied to supplied taxonomy except where directly applicable.
No comparison claims were made because the passage itself does not support a comparison
to another tradition or motif family beyond candidate motifs.
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; public-domain text summarized with minimal short quotation.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg__l15911-l16050
passage_sha256=c8f8d664239346d5bf5d4283e72d12eb2f12d11b4205b654d99c188c8ee4b9d6