batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l16721-l16857
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l16721-l16857
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
passage_locator:
label: THE SIXTH BATTLE, THE ACTS AND DEATH OF PATROCLUS / BOOK XVII. / ARGUMENT.
/ THE SEVENTH BATTLE, FOR THE BODY OF PATROCLUS.THE ACTS OF MENELAUS.; lines 16721-16857
start: '16721'
end: '16857'
translation: The Iliad
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Jove sees Hector triumphant in Achilles' armor and foretells that he will
have one day of glory before death. By Jove's sanction the armor fits Hector and
he is filled with force. Hector rallies Trojan and allied warriors with promises
of honor for anyone who wins Patroclus' body. Ajax calls the Greeks to defend
the corpse. Jove casts darkness over the battle while protecting Patroclus' body
from birds. Hippothous drags the corpse by the feet, but Ajax kills him, and he
falls beside Patroclus.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Jove observes Hector wearing the arms taken from the dead Patroclus and states
that Hector has only a brief glory before he fades away.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Jove gives a nod that seals his word, and the armor closes around Hector while
Hector gains increased size, vigor, and martial force.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Hector exhorts Trojan and allied warriors to fight for Patroclus' body and
promises equal honors and shared spoil to whoever drags the body to the Trojan
side.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: The Trojans advance in array toward the Greeks, hoping to seize Patroclus
from Ajax.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Great Ajax warns that the Greeks may all die and calls for the bravest Greeks
to help save Patroclus from dogs of Troy.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Oilean Ajax, Idomeneus, Merion, and other Greeks respond to the call for aid.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Jove pours darkness over the mixed battle and protects Patroclus' dead body
from birds.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Hippothous pierces and binds Patroclus' ankles and drags the corpse through
the battle.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Ajax strikes Hippothous through the helmet with a lance; Hippothous drops
Patroclus' foot and falls dead beside him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Jove
description: The thunder-bearing god who watches the battle, speaks of Hector's
fate, sanctions his word with a nod, and casts darkness over the fight while protecting
Patroclus' body.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Hector
description: A Trojan leader standing in Achilles' armor, temporarily empowered,
rallying his forces to seize Patroclus' body.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Patroclus
description: The slain companion of Achilles whose body is contested by Trojans
and Greeks.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Great Ajax / Ajax Telamon
description: The Greek warrior defending Patroclus' body, calling for aid, rallying
the Greeks, and killing Hippothous.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Oilean Ajax
description: A Greek warrior who first obeys Great Ajax's call for aid.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Idomeneus
description: An older Greek warrior who comes to aid in the defense of Patroclus'
body.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Merion
description: A Greek warrior who comes to aid, described as burning with heroic
rage.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Hippothous
description: Son of Lethus and heir of Pelasgus; he binds and drags Patroclus' corpse
and is killed by Ajax.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Achilles / Pelides
description: Absent Greek hero whose armor Hector wears and whose dear companion
Patroclus has been slain.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Trojans and allied hosts
description: The collective force Hector exhorts and leads against the Greeks for
Patroclus' body.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Greeks / Achaians / Argives
description: The collective force defending Patroclus' body in a shielded circle
and responding to Ajax's call.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Andromache
description: Mentioned by Jove as no longer coming to welcome Hector home or unbrace
Achilles' arms from him.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine observer and fate-sanctioner
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Jove sees Hector, speaks of his approaching end, seals his word with a nod,
empowers Hector, and later darkens the battle while protecting Patroclus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: role:2
label: doomed triumphant warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Hector is glorious in Achilles' armor, but Jove says he will have only one
illustrious day before fading away.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: war leader offering reward
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Hector addresses the hosts and promises honors, spoil, and fame for winning
Patroclus' body.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: slain contested companion
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Patroclus is dead, and both armies contend for his body.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: corpse defender and avenger
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Ajax calls Greeks to save Patroclus and kills Hippothous when he drags the
corpse.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:9
- id: role:6
label: responding Greek ally
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
basis: These warriors answer the call to defend Patroclus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: corpse-dragger killed in the act
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Hippothous binds and drags Patroclus' feet, then is killed by Ajax and falls
beside the dead.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:8
label: absent armor-owner and bereaved companion
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The armor Hector wears once belonged to Achilles, and Patroclus is called
Achilles' dearer part.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:9
label: attacking host seeking the body
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The Trojan and allied forces advance under Hector and try to seize Patroclus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: defending host around the body
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The Achaian band stands with shields and rallies to protect Patroclus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:11
label: wife named in doomed-homecoming speech
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Jove says Andromache will not welcome Hector home or remove Achilles' arms
from him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Achilles' armor on Hector
literal_form: Heavenly panoply / Pelides' arms worn by Hector
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: divine nod
literal_form: Jove's nod that seals his word
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: contested corpse
literal_form: The body or carcass of Patroclus
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:8
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:4
label: darkness over battle
literal_form: Darkness poured by Jove over the mingled fight
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: scavenger threat to the dead
literal_form: Dogs of Troy and birds of air as threats to Patroclus' corpse
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: mountain-water battle simile
literal_form: A mountain billow, swollen river, boiling ocean, and echoing rocks
used to describe the Trojan charge
associated_figures:
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: boar battle simile
literal_form: A mountain boar scattering hunters and hounds used to describe Ajax's
attack
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Jove beholds Hector's brief triumph
summary: Jove sees Hector in Achilles' armor, pities him, and declares that Hector
will receive a final day of glory before death and will not return to Andromache.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:9
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Divine sanction and martial empowerment
summary: Jove nods; the armor conforms to Hector, Hector's body and vigor increase,
and he moves through the army like Achilles or a god.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Hector offers honors for Patroclus' body
summary: Hector urges the Trojan and allied warriors to fight and promises shared
honors, spoil, and fame to whoever drags Patroclus to the Trojan side.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Ajax calls the Greek defenders
summary: As Trojans advance, Great Ajax warns of danger and calls the Greek chiefs
to help save Patroclus from enemy desecration; Greek allies respond.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Darkened battle around Patroclus
summary: The Achaian band stands in a circle with shields while Jove casts darkness
over the battle and protects the corpse from birds.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:6
label: Hippothous drags Patroclus and is killed
summary: Hippothous binds Patroclus' ankles and drags him, but Ajax attacks, cleaves
his helmet, and Hippothous dies beside the body.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: brief glory granted before foretold death
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Jove explicitly grants Hector one illustrious day and states that Hector
will not return home to Andromache.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage foretells death but does not narrate Hector's actual death.
- id: motif:2
label: divine empowerment through sanctioned armor
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: After Jove's nod, Achilles' armor fits Hector and Hector receives increased
vigor and martial force.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents the empowerment in martial and divine language; its
exact mechanism should be reviewed against the Greek source.
- id: motif:3
label: battle for possession of a hero's corpse
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Both armies fight over Patroclus' body, Hector offers rewards for dragging
it away, and Ajax summons Greeks to defend it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: This is a narrative battle motif rather than one of the supplied broad
taxonomy families.
- id: motif:4
label: protection of the dead from scavengers
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ajax calls for Patroclus to be saved from dogs, and Jove does not doom the
corpse to birds of air.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage focuses on battlefield preservation of the corpse, not funeral
rites.
- id: motif:5
label: corpse-dragger punished at the body
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Hippothous drags Patroclus' body by bound feet and is immediately killed
by Ajax, falling beside the corpse.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The punishment is battlefield vengeance; no separate divine punishment
is stated.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 16721-16741
quote_or_summary: Jove beholds Hector in Achilles' armor, pities him, says Hector
is unmindful of his end, grants him one illustrious day, and says Andromache will
not welcome him home.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 16742-16757
quote_or_summary: Jove nods to seal his word; the armor closes around Hector; Hector
grows in vigor and moves through the army like Achilles or a god.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 16758-16773
quote_or_summary: Hector addresses the hosts, tells them to conquer or die, and
promises equal honors, spoil, and fame to whoever wins and drags Patroclus to
the Trojan train.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 16774-16780
quote_or_summary: Hector's words fire the troops; they advance with spears and hope
to take the body from Ajax, though many will die around Patroclus.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 16781-16805
quote_or_summary: Great Ajax warns that the Greeks may all fall and calls the chiefs
and guardians of the Argive race to save Patroclus from the dogs of Troy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 16806-16822
quote_or_summary: Oilean Ajax, Idomeneus, Merion, and other Greeks come to help;
Hector leads Troy in a charge compared to a mountain billow at a river mouth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 16823-16830
quote_or_summary: The Achaian band stands in a circle with shields; Jove pours darkness
over the fight and protects Patroclus' corpse from birds.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 16831-16845
quote_or_summary: The Trojans briefly seize the slain; Ajax rallies the Greeks,
attacks like a mountain boar, and Hippothous binds Patroclus' pierced ankles and
drags the corpse through battle.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 16846-16857
quote_or_summary: Ajax's lance cleaves Hippothous' helmet; Hippothous falls, drops
Patroclus' foot, lies beside the dead, and is sent to the shades of hell.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels are
candidate descriptive motifs without asserting external taxonomy alignment. No
comparison claims are made because the passage alone does not support a specific
comparative claim.
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; no external Iliad context added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg__l16721-l16857
passage_sha256=fffd4f0920af80197e655f79711cef06e7a27a4bfee11b56792f2006459e13eb