batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l17006-l17145
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l17006-l17145
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 17006-17145
start: '17006'
end: '17145'
translation: The Iliad
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Achilles' immortal horses mourn the dead Patroclus and refuse to move until
Jove pities and strengthens them. Automedon and Alcimedon manage Achilles' chariot
while Hector and Aeneas attempt to seize the horses. Automedon calls for aid,
kills Aretus, avoids a spear-cast, and, after Ajax intervenes, strips Aretus'
arms and dedicates the act as an offering to Patroclus' shade.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Achilles' horses stand apart from the battle, weep, and refuse Automedon's
rein, lash, soothing, and threats.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The horses are described as immortal, exempt from age and death, yet sharing
mortal grief.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Jove pities the horses, speaks to them, and promises to give them swiftness
and spirit so Automedon may reach the ships safely.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Jove breathes spirit into the horses, and they shake off dust and drive the
chariot through the battle.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: 'Automedon and Alcimedon exchange roles: Alcimedon takes the reins while Automedon
takes up the fighting task.'
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Hector and Aeneas see Achilles' chariot without Achilles and decide to attack
in hopes of taking the horses.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Automedon calls the Ajaces and Atrides for aid against Hector and Aeneas.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: Automedon kills Aretus with a javelin that pierces his belt and lower belly.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: Automedon strips Aretus' arms and calls the act a sacrifice and offering to
Patroclus' shade.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Achilles' immortal horses
description: Deathless horses belonging to Achilles that mourn Patroclus and later
pull the chariot through battle after Jove strengthens them.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Automedon
description: Charioteer associated with Achilles' horses; he later fights from the
chariot, calls for aid, kills Aretus, and dedicates the spoil to Patroclus' shade.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Jove
description: Divine figure who pities and addresses the horses, then gives them
renewed spirit and swiftness.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Alcimedon
description: Warrior who takes the reins of the heavenly horses when Automedon yields
the chariot seat to him.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Patroclus
description: Slain companion whose death causes the horses' grief and whose shade
receives Automedon's declared offering.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Hector
description: Trojan leader who wears Achilles' arms and attempts with Aeneas to
seize Achilles' chariot and horses.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Aeneas
description: Son of Venus who joins Hector in the attempt to capture Achilles' horses.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Aretus
description: Trojan warrior who follows Hector and Aeneas and is killed by Automedon.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Ajaces
description: Warriors called by Automedon for immediate aid and later interposing
before the fight closes with swords.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Atrides
description: Figure called by Automedon along with the Ajaces for aid.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: mourning animal companions
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The horses weep for their slain master and stand immovable in grief.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: immortal beings touched by mortal suffering
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Jove describes the horses as immortal and deathless, yet sharing mortal woe.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: charioteer and warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Automedon first controls the horses, then yields the reins and takes on the
fighting task.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: dedicator of offering to the dead
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: After killing and stripping Aretus, Automedon names the act an offering to
Patroclus' shade.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: divine helper
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Jove pities the horses and gives them spirit and speed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: replacement chariot-driver
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Alcimedon takes the reins and mounts the chariot seat when Automedon descends
to fight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: honored dead companion
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Patroclus' death causes grief, and Automedon dedicates spoils as an offering
to his shade.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: role:8
label: would-be captor of heroic horses
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:7
basis: Hector and Aeneas move to attack Achilles' chariot, hoping to win the horses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: slain opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Aretus is struck by Automedon's javelin and dies.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: summoned allies
assigned_to:
- fig:9
- fig:10
basis: Automedon calls the Ajaces and Atrides to turn and give aid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: immortal horses in grief
literal_form: Deathless horses weeping, dust-covered, and motionless beside the
battlefield.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: heroic chariot without its lord
literal_form: Achilles' chariot seen in battle without Achilles, with weak drivers
trying to guide it.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:3
label: spoils as offering to the shade
literal_form: Aretus' stripped arms hung on the chariot and named as a sacrifice
or offering to Patroclus' shade.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:4
label: Achilles' arms worn by Hector
literal_form: Achilles' arms in Hector's possession after Patroclus' death.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: The mourning of Achilles' horses
summary: Achilles' horses stand away from the fighting, weep for their slain master,
and refuse to move under Automedon's control.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Jove strengthens the immortal horses
summary: Jove pities the immortal horses, reflects on mortal misery, promises that
Hector will not take them, and breathes spirit and speed into them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Alcimedon takes the reins
summary: Automedon explains that Patroclus once controlled the horses, gives Alcimedon
the chariot seat and reins, and takes up the fighting role himself.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Hector and Aeneas attempt to seize the horses
summary: Hector sees Achilles' chariot without its lord and persuades Aeneas to
attack in the hope of capturing the horses; other Trojans follow.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Automedon calls for aid and kills Aretus
summary: Automedon calls allied warriors for help against Hector and Aeneas, throws
a javelin that kills Aretus, avoids a counter-spear, and strips the slain man's
arms as an offering to Patroclus' shade.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Immortal horses mourning a dead hero
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage presents Achilles' deathless horses weeping and refusing to move
because Patroclus has been slain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The motif label is descriptive and not tied to a supplied taxonomy family.
- id: motif:2
label: Divine restoration of battle-steeds
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Jove pities the horses, speaks to them, and breathes renewed spirit and speed
into them for battle and escape.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy reference directly matches this battle intervention
pattern.
- id: motif:3
label: Contest for the hero's chariot and horses
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Hector and Aeneas identify Achilles' chariot without its lord and attempt
to capture the horses, while Automedon and allies resist.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: This is a local heroic-war pattern rather than a matched taxonomy motif.
- id: motif:4
label: Enemy's death and spoils as offering to the dead
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Automedon kills Aretus, strips his arms, and explicitly calls the act a sacrifice
and offering to Patroclus' shade.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage uses sacrificial language poetically in battle; it is not
a formal ritual scene.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: Automedon's dedication of Aretus' death and stripped arms to Patroclus' shade
can be cautiously compared with the supplied sacrifice motif family.
claim_level: same_motif
target: sacrifice
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage frames the act as a battlefield killing and spoil-taking,
not as a structured ritual sacrifice.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 17006-17024
quote_or_summary: Achilles' horses, grieving Patroclus, weep, stand immovable, trail
their manes in the dust, and resist Automedon's attempts to move them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 17025-17049
quote_or_summary: Jove looks with pity on the deathless horses, says they were given
to mortal man only to share mortal woe, and promises Hector will not be carried
by them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 17050-17061
quote_or_summary: Jove breathes excessive spirit into the immortal horses; they
shake off dust and carry the chariot through the battle.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 17062-17083
quote_or_summary: Alcimedon approaches Automedon; Automedon says no Greek but Alcimedon
can restrain the heavenly horses now that Patroclus is dead, and gives him the
reins while he takes up fighting.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 17084-17103
quote_or_summary: Hector sees Achilles' chariot without its lord and urges Aeneas
to join him in attacking its weak drivers; Chromius and Aretus follow, hoping
to win the horses.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 17104-17125
quote_or_summary: Automedon asks Alcimedon to keep the horses close, names Hector
as the fierce opponent, and calls the Ajaces and Atrides for immediate aid against
Hector and Aeneas.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 17126-17136
quote_or_summary: Automedon's javelin passes Aretus' shield, pierces his belt and
lower belly, and Aretus falls dead.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 17137-17145
quote_or_summary: Automedon avoids a Trojan spear; the Ajaces interpose; Hector
leaves the slain companion; Automedon strips the arms and names them a sacrifice
and offering to Patroclus' shade.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Passage actions and figures are clear. Motif labels beyond the explicit sacrifice
language are descriptive and require human review for taxonomy alignment.
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: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used; taxonomy reference applied only where the passage explicitly supports sacrificial language.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg__l17006-l17145
passage_sha256=394c82ecd3b552c777ca0bf82a99a5f826a47a6674a78b46bc3f1e7169416603