batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l22003-l22136
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l22003-l22136
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
passage_locator:
label: ARGUMENT. / THE DEATH OF HECTOR. / BOOK XXIII. / ARGUMENT.; lines 22003-22136
start: '22003'
end: '22136'
translation: The Iliad
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'Achilles conducts further funeral games: an armed duel for Sarpedon''s
former armor and Asteropaeus'' sword; an iron-quoit contest; an archery contest
involving axes, a mast, and a dove; and a final spear-casting prize that is honorifically
awarded to the king, who gives the spear to Merion and sets aside the charger
for sacred use.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A buckler, spear, and helm formerly worn by Sarpedon and later borne by Patroclus
are set out as prizes for an armed combat.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The invited combatants are to fight in armor, and the one who first wounds
his rival is promised Asteropaeus' gold-studded Thracian sword, while the armor
is to be divided in common.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Diomedes, called Tydeus' son, and Ajax Telamon stand in the circle and fight
three successive charges before the Greeks stop the contest.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Ajax's spear passes through the shield but stops at the corslet; Diomedes'
javelin is aimed at the neck above the shield margin.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: A mass of iron, described as an enormous round shaped by fire and formerly
used by Ation, is offered as the discus or quoit prize.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Epeus, Leonteus, Ajax, and Polyptes throw the iron circle in order; Polyptes'
throw surpasses the others and wins the prize.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: For the archery contest, Achilles sets out ten double-edged and ten single-edged
axes and fixes a mast in the sand with a milk-white dove tied at its top.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The archer who hits the dove is to receive the two-edged axes, while the archer
who cuts the cord receives the single-edged axes.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Teucer shoots first by lot, but his arrow misses the dove and cuts the cord;
the passage attributes this failure to his neglect to vow firstling lambs and
sacrifice to Phoebus.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Merion vows firstling lambs and sacrifice to the god, shoots the flying dove,
and receives the prize after the bird falls dead.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Achilles places a heavy spear and an unused decorated charger as the final
prizes for a spear-casting contest.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Achilles praises the king as foremost among the Greeks and gives him the prize
without requiring a contest; the king gives the brazen spear to Merion and assigns
the charger to Talthybius for sacred use.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Achilles / Pelides
description: Host of the games who sets out prizes, invites contestants, and awards
the final prize.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Sarpedon
description: Former wearer of the armor set out in the armed-combat prize.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Patroclus
description: Former bearer of Sarpedon's arms after a brief triumph.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Diomedes / Tydeus' son / Tydides
description: Combatant in the armored duel who wins the sword and studded belt.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Ajax Telamon
description: Combatant in the armored duel and later competitor in the iron-quoit
contest.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Asteropaeus
description: Earlier possessor of the Thracian gold-studded sword offered as prize.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Ation
description: Former user of the iron quoit, described as a giant slain by Achilles.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Polyptes
description: Contestant whose discus throw surpasses the others and wins the prize.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Leonteus
description: Contestant in the iron-quoit contest.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Epeus
description: Contestant in the iron-quoit contest who throws first.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Teucer
description: Archer who shoots first by lot and cuts the cord rather than striking
the dove.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Merion
description: Archer who vows sacrifice, shoots the dove, bears the archery prize,
and later receives the brazen spear.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Phoebus
description: Divine patron of the shaft and bow invoked in relation to archery success
and sacrifice.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: King of men / king of nations
description: Supreme ruler among the Greeks, praised by Achilles and awarded the
final prize; he then gives the spear to Merion.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Talthybius
description: Recipient or custodian of the decorated charger set apart for sacred
use.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:16
name_or_label: Greeks / Argive host / crowd
description: Spectators who watch the contests, stop the armed duel, applaud, and
proclaim the king's standing.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: game host and prize-giver
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Achilles places prizes, invites contestants, and distributes honors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:2
label: contestant
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
basis: These figures enter the armed duel, quoit contest, archery contest, or final
prize sequence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: role:3
label: divine patron of archery
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Phoebus is named as patron of the shaft and bow and is invoked with sacrificial
vows.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: honored ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: Achilles calls him supreme in power and virtue among the Greeks and awards
him the prize.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:5
label: former owner or bearer of prize object
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:7
basis: The passage identifies Sarpedon, Patroclus, Asteropaeus, and Ation through
prior possession or use of items awarded in the games.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: recipient for sacred custody
assigned_to:
- fig:15
basis: The charger is set apart for sacred use and commanded into Talthybius' hands.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:7
label: spectating community
assigned_to:
- fig:16
basis: The Greeks observe, applaud, and intervene to stop a dangerous fight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:9
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: heroic armor as contest prize
literal_form: buckler, spear, and helm formerly associated with Sarpedon and Patroclus
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: gold-studded sword
literal_form: Thracian blade once possessed by Asteropaeus
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: iron quoit
literal_form: enormous round mass of iron shaped by fire
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: milk-white dove target
literal_form: milk-white dove tied to a mast for the archery contest
associated_figures:
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: archery axes
literal_form: ten double-edged and ten single-edged axes awarded according to whether
the bird or cord is hit
associated_figures:
- fig:11
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: sacrificial vow of firstling lambs
literal_form: promised firstling lambs and grateful sacrifice to Phoebus
associated_figures:
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: spear and sacred charger
literal_form: heavy spear and decorated charger set as final prizes, with the charger
reserved for sacred use
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:12
- fig:14
- fig:15
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: armed duel for Sarpedon's arms
summary: Achilles sets out armor and a sword as prizes; Diomedes and Ajax fight
until the Greeks stop the dangerous duel, and Diomedes receives the sword and
belt.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:16
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: iron-quoit contest
summary: Achilles displays an enormous iron quoit from Ation's spoils; several heroes
throw it, and Polyptes wins with the farthest cast.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:16
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: archery contest with dove target
summary: Axes are offered as prizes, a dove is tied to a mast, Teucer cuts the cord
after failing to vow sacrifice, and Merion vows sacrifice to Phoebus and shoots
the bird.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:16
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: final spear prize and sacred charger
summary: Achilles sets out a spear and charger, honors the king without a contest,
and the king gives the spear to Merion while the charger is reserved for sacred
use under Talthybius.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:12
- fig:14
- fig:15
- fig:16
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: funeral games with heroic prize contests
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: 'The passage presents sequential athletic and martial contests with named
prizes: armed combat, iron-quoit throwing, archery, and a proposed spear-casting
prize.'
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy family directly names funeral games or athletic contests.
- id: motif:2
label: sacrifice promised for divine aid
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- sacred_exchange
basis: The archery episode contrasts Teucer's failure to vow firstling lambs to
Phoebus with Merion's explicit vow of firstling lambs and successful shot.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The exchange is limited to this archery contest and should not be generalized
beyond the passage.
- id: motif:3
label: communal intervention to halt dangerous heroic combat
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Greeks, fearing for a hero's life, order the armed duel's honors to be
shared and the fight to cease.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a localized narrative action rather than a named taxonomy motif.
- id: motif:4
label: honorary prize granting to a supreme ruler
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
- sacred_exchange
basis: Achilles publicly praises the king as supreme in virtue and power among the
Greeks and awards him the prize, after which the king redistributes the spear
and reserves the charger for sacred use.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage supports public recognition of status, but the broader political
or ritual meaning requires review.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 22003-22018
quote_or_summary: Achilles brings a buckler, spear, and helm formerly worn by Sarpedon
and borne by Patroclus; he invites the bravest warriors to fight and promises
Asteropaeus' gold-studded sword to the first who wounds his rival, while the arms
are to be divided.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 22019-22036
quote_or_summary: Diomedes and Ajax Telamon arm themselves, clash three times, exchange
dangerous spear thrusts, and are stopped by the Greeks; Diomedes receives the
sword and studded belt.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 22037-22056
quote_or_summary: Achilles casts down an enormous iron round, shaped by fire and
taken from Ation, and offers it as prize to whoever can throw it farthest, noting
its practical value for rural ironwork.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 22057-22072
quote_or_summary: Polyptes, Leonteus, Ajax, and Epeus compete in throwing the discus;
Epeus throws first, Leonteus surpasses him, Ajax surpasses both, and Polyptes'
throw passes all the marks, winning the prize.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 22073-22080
quote_or_summary: Achilles invites archers, sets out twenty axes as prizes, fixes
a mast in the sandy shore, and ties a milk-white dove to its top as the target.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 22081-22096
quote_or_summary: The prize terms distinguish striking the bird from cutting the
cord; Teucer shoots first by lot, but because he had not vowed firstling lambs
and sacrifice to Phoebus, his arrow misses the dove and cuts the cord.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 22097-22114
quote_or_summary: Merion takes the bow, vows firstling lambs and sacrifice to the
god, shoots the flying dove through, and receives the prize after the wounded
bird falls.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 22115-22122
quote_or_summary: For the last funeral game, Achilles places a heavy spear and a
decorated, unburnt charger as prizes for skill in casting the dart; Merion and
the king of men are named in relation to the contest.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 22123-22136
quote_or_summary: Achilles praises the king as supreme in virtue and power among
the Greeks, awards him the prize, and the king gives the brazen spear to Merion
while assigning the charger, set apart for sacred use, to Talthybius.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels beyond sacrifice
and sacred exchange are descriptive because the supplied taxonomy lacks exact
funeral-game categories.
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: |-
The final illustration label 'CERES' is not treated as a passage figure because the provided passage gives no narrative context for it.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg__l22003-l22136
passage_sha256=12adb89fb2a6091709b64bb831e92acdcc7b40071a41356cb95c1230f2f4ca4e