batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l22857-l22974
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l22857-l22974
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
passage_locator:
label: ARGUMENT. / BOOK XXIV. / ARGUMENT. / THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY OF HECTOR.;
lines 22857-22974
start: '22857'
end: '22974'
translation: The Iliad
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Priam’s supplication moves Achilles to pity and shared mourning. Achilles
raises Priam, speaks about mortal suffering through the image of Jove’s two urns,
and urges him to bear his lot. Priam asks for Hector’s body in exchange for gifts.
Achilles says he already intends to return Hector because of Jove’s command conveyed
by his divine mother, warns Priam not to provoke him, and orders attendants to
unload the ransom and prepare Hector’s body. The body is washed, anointed, wrapped,
placed on a funeral bed and car, and Achilles addresses Patroclus’ shade, asking
forgiveness for restoring Hector according to heaven’s will.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Achilles is moved by pity and remembrance of his father while Priam remains
prostrate.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Priam and Achilles weep together, one mourning a son and the other mourning
his father and friend.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Achilles raises Priam by the hand and speaks to soothe him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Achilles describes two urns by Jove’s throne, one source of evil and one source
of good, from which mortal lots are distributed.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Achilles says Peleus had wealth, power, a goddess, and divine gifts, but suffers
the evil of having one son destined to die abroad.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Achilles says Priam once had wealth and many children but now suffers war
and the deaths of heroes around Troy.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Achilles tells Priam that Hector cannot be called back from the Stygian shore.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: Priam asks Achilles to return Hector’s corpse and accept the gifts.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: Achilles says he intends to yield Hector because Jove sent his goddess-mother,
and that Priam’s arrival was divinely impelled.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: Achilles warns Priam to stop his supplication and not shake his resolve on
hostile land.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:11
text: Achilles rushes out, and Automedon and Alcimus unyoke the animals, bring the
herald to the tent, and unload Hector’s ransom from the car.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:12
text: Two mantles and a carpet are left to cover and wrap Hector’s body.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:13
text: Handmaids wash Hector’s body and anoint it with oil apart from Priam to avoid
provoking Achilles’ anger.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:14
text: Achilles lifts Hector’s corpse to the funeral bed, the body is placed on the
car, and Achilles calls to Patroclus’ shade.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:15
text: Achilles asks Patroclus to forgive him for restoring Hector in fulfillment
of heaven’s will, and assigns Priam’s gifts to Patroclus’ manes and shrine.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Achilles
description: The chief who is moved to pity, speaks to Priam, orders the handling
of Hector’s body, and addresses Patroclus’ shade.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:4
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Priam
description: The old king and father who supplicates Achilles, asks for Hector’s
corpse, and brings gifts.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Hector
description: Priam’s dead son whose corpse is requested, washed, anointed, wrapped,
and placed on a car.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Jove
description: The god by whose throne stand two urns of good and evil, and whose
command Achilles says he must obey.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Peleus
description: Achilles’ father, described as once blessed with wealth, power, a realm,
a goddess, and an only son destined to die abroad.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Achilles’ goddess-mother
description: A divine mother, called Old Ocean’s daughter and silver-footed dame,
who came from Jove to Achilles.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Automedon
description: An attendant of Achilles who helps unyoke the animals and handle the
ransom.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Alcimus
description: An attendant of Achilles who helps unyoke the animals and handle the
ransom.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Hoary herald
description: The herald led to the tent while the attendants unload the ransom.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Handmaids
description: Women called to wash Hector’s body and anoint it with oil.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Patroclus’ shade
description: The ghost or shade of Achilles’ friend, addressed by Achilles after
Hector’s body is placed on the car.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
roles:
- id: role:1
label: pitying warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Achilles is moved by pity and later acts to return Hector’s body.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- ev:14
- id: role:2
label: supplicant father
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Priam lies prostrate, asks for Hector’s corpse, and uses tears and supplication
before Achilles.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: role:3
label: ransom giver
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Priam asks Achilles to take the gifts in exchange for Hector’s corpse.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:10
- id: role:4
label: ransom receiver and restorer of the body
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Achilles says he intends to yield Hector and has the ransom unloaded and
the body prepared.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: role:5
label: unburied dead son
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Hector lies deprived of obsequies and his corpse is washed, anointed, wrapped,
and placed on the car.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:12
- ev:13
- id: role:6
label: divine authority
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:6
basis: Jove’s command governs Achilles’ action, and the goddess-mother delivers
that command.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:14
- id: role:7
label: mourner of father and friend
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Achilles mourns his father and his friend during the shared lament.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:8
label: absent aged father
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Peleus is described as Achilles’ father, blessed yet suffering because his
only son will die abroad and cannot care for him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: divine mother-messenger
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Achilles says his goddess-mother came from Jove to him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: trusted attendant
assigned_to:
- fig:7
- fig:8
basis: Automedon and Alcimus attend Achilles and perform tasks with the animals
and ransom.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:11
label: herald
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The passage identifies the hoary herald being led to the tent.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:12
label: body preparer
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The handmaids wash and anoint Hector’s body.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: role:13
label: dead friend addressed as shade
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Achilles calls on Patroclus’ shade and asks forgiveness.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Jove’s two urns
literal_form: Two urns by Jove’s throne, one source of evil and one of good.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: mixed cup of mortal lot
literal_form: A cup filled for mortal man from the urns, mixing blessings and ills
for most people.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: Stygian shore
literal_form: The shore from which Hector cannot be called back.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: ransom gifts
literal_form: Boundless stores and numerous presents given for Hector’s body.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:10
- id: sym:5
label: mantles and carpet for the dead
literal_form: Two splendid mantles and a carpet left to cover and enwrap Hector’s
body.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:6
label: oil for anointing the body
literal_form: Oil used by handmaids to anoint Hector’s corpse.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:7
label: funeral bed and car
literal_form: The funeral bed and car on which Hector’s body is placed.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: sym:8
label: manes and shrine
literal_form: Patroclus’ manes and shrine to be graced by Priam’s gifts.
associated_figures:
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Shared lamentation of Achilles and Priam
summary: Priam’s grief and Achilles’ memory of his own father lead both men and
the surrounding heroes to weep.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Achilles’ consolation speech on mortal suffering
summary: Achilles raises Priam and explains human suffering through Jove’s urns,
using Peleus and Priam as examples of mixed or bitter lots.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:3
label: Priam’s request for Hector
summary: Priam asks for Hector’s corpse, offers gifts, and prays that Achilles may
enjoy the stores and turn his wrath from Troy.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: Achilles’ warning and divine explanation
summary: Achilles says he intends to return Hector because of Jove’s command brought
by his goddess-mother, recognizes Priam’s arrival as divinely aided, and warns
Priam not to provoke him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:6
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:5
label: Ransom unloaded and Hector’s body prepared
summary: Achilles’ attendants unload the ransom; handmaids wash and anoint Hector’s
body away from Priam; the body is wrapped, lifted to a funeral bed, and placed
on the car.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
- id: scene:6
label: Achilles addresses Patroclus’ shade
summary: Achilles asks Patroclus’ shade to forgive the restoration of Hector and
dedicates Priam’s gifts to Patroclus’ manes and shrine.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Ransom exchange for the dead body
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Priam offers gifts for Hector’s corpse, Achilles accepts the ransom and restores
the body under divine command.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:14
confidence: high
cautions: The passage concerns a ransom and funerary restoration; the broader taxonomy
label is applied cautiously because the exchange is framed by divine command and
ritual honor rather than a formal cultic transaction alone.
- id: motif:2
label: Supplication softening the enemy
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Priam’s prostrate appeal and grief move Achilles to pity, shared tears, and
eventual action to return Hector’s body.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy reference directly names supplication.
- id: motif:3
label: Divine command delivered through a divine mother
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_parent_child
basis: Achilles says Jove sent his goddess-mother to him, and this divine message
directs his decision to restore Hector.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:14
confidence: medium
cautions: The divine parent-child element is present, but the central action is
the ransom and restoration of Hector, not a full parent-child myth cycle.
- id: motif:4
label: Human lot apportioned by divine vessels
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Achilles describes Jove’s two urns of good and evil as the source from which
mortal fortunes are dispensed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents divine allotment of fortune rather than a courtroom-like
judgment scene.
- id: motif:5
label: Dead beyond recall at the Stygian shore
taxonomy_refs:
- afterlife_journey_map
basis: Achilles says Hector cannot be called back from the Stygian shore, and later
speaks of ghosts below in a lightless gloom.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:14
confidence: low
cautions: The passage contains afterlife imagery but does not describe a detailed
journey or map.
- id: motif:6
label: Funerary preparation of the hero’s body
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Hector’s corpse is washed, anointed with oil, wrapped in garments, placed
on a funeral bed, and loaded onto a car.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy reference directly names funerary preparation.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 22857-22869
quote_or_summary: Priam’s grief moves Achilles to pity; Achilles remembers his father;
both men weep, one for a son and one for father and friend, and the heroes share
in the mourning.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 22870-22876
quote_or_summary: Achilles rises, raises Priam by the hand, looks on his aged form,
and begins soothing words.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: quote
locator: lines 22887-22895
quote_or_summary: "“Two urns by Joves high throne have ever stood, / The source
of evil one, and one of good.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 22898-22908
quote_or_summary: Achilles describes Peleus as blessed with wealth, power, a goddess,
and divine gifts, but afflicted because his only son is destined to die untimely
in a foreign land.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 22909-22918
quote_or_summary: Achilles recalls Priam’s former wealth, children, and rule, then
contrasts it with war, bloodshed, and heroes falling around Troy after the god
turns his hand against him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: quote
locator: lines 22919-22923
quote_or_summary: "“Thou canst not call him from the Stygian shore, / But thou,
alas! mayst live to suffer more!”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 22924-22932
quote_or_summary: Priam asks Achilles to give him Hector’s corpse and take the gifts,
wishing Achilles safe return and the turning of his wrath from Troy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 22933-22942
quote_or_summary: Achilles replies that he intends to yield Hector; he says his
goddess-mother came from Jove and that Priam’s arrival was aided by a god.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 22943-22949
quote_or_summary: Achilles warns Priam to cease, not neglect Jove’s command, and
not provoke him while on hostile land.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 22950-22959
quote_or_summary: Priam obeys in fear; Achilles goes out; Automedon and Alcimus
unyoke the animals, lead the herald to the tent, and unload Hector’s ransom from
the car.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 22960-22961
quote_or_summary: Two splendid mantles and a carpet are left to cover and enwrap
the dead.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 22962-22968
quote_or_summary: Handmaids are called to wash and anoint the body apart from Priam,
lest his grief provoke Achilles’ anger beyond the restraint of age or Jove’s command.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 22969-22972
quote_or_summary: The garments are spread over the corpse; Achilles lifts it to
the funeral bed; the body is laid on the car; Achilles groans and calls on Patroclus’
shade.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: lines 22973-22974 and following supplied lines
quote_or_summary: Achilles addresses Patroclus in the gloom of the ghosts below,
asking forgiveness for restoring Hector according to heaven’s will and assigning
Priam’s gifts to Patroclus’ manes and shrine.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif candidates using
broad taxonomy references are cautious, especially afterlife_journey_map and divine_judgment.
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: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly support a comparison to another text, tradition, or motif family beyond candidate motif classification.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg__l22857-l22974
passage_sha256=804f5d4ccfaedc0485c1cfc3a77a271f47df132e25c3c5fa4392e1e734885a75