batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l3379-l3501
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l3379-l3501
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
passage_locator:
label: THE CONTENTION OF ACHILLES AND AGAMEMNON. / BOOK II. / ARGUMENT. / THE TRIAL
OF THE ARMY, AND CATALOGUE OF THE FORCES.; lines 3379-3501
start: '3379'
end: '3501'
translation: The Iliad
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: A mighty dragon shot, of dire portent; / From Jove himself the dreadful sign
was sent.
summary: 'Greek leaders respond to the army''s desire to return home after nine
years. A past omen at Aulis is recalled: during sacrifices by a sacred fountain
and plane-tree, a serpent devoured eight nestlings and their mother, then was
turned to marble. Chalcas interpreted the sign as predicting nine years of toil
and Troy''s fall in the tenth. Nestor urges renewed discipline and division by
tribes and nations; Agamemnon praises his counsel, laments the quarrel with Achilles,
and orders the army to prepare for battle.'
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The Grecian host is described as weeping for the native shore after a stay
of nine years.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: At Aulis, the Greeks raised altars beside a sacred fountain under a plane-tree,
and sacrificial victims burned there.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: A mighty dragon or serpent came from the ground and wound itself around the
tree.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: The serpent devoured eight young birds in a nest and then the mother-bird.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: After killing the birds, the serpent was turned to marble and remained as
a prodigy on Aulis sands.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Chalcas interpreted the sign as meaning that Greece would toil for as many
years as birds were slain, and that Ilion would fall in the tenth year.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Nestor rebukes the Greeks for vain debate and recalls past vows, libations,
victims, and engagements.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: Nestor reports that Jove sent thunder on the right as a prosperous signal
when the Greeks first sailed.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: Nestor advises Agamemnon to divide the army by tribes and nations so each
leader may call his own troops.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Agamemnon praises Nestor's counsel and says the quarrel with Achilles has
harmed the Greek cause.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: Agamemnon orders the warriors to eat briefly and then prepare spears, shields,
horses, and chariots for battle.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Agamemnon threatens that anyone who stays in the ships out of fear will be
mangled by birds and devoured by dogs.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Agamemnon / Atrides / monarch
description: The Greek king addressed as monarch and Atrides, who commands the warriors
and responds to Nestor.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Grecian host
description: The Greek army, weary after nine years and tempted toward return, later
called to obey and prepare for combat.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Chalcas
description: The reverend prophet who interprets the Aulis sign as a prediction
of nine years' toil and Troy's fall in the tenth.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Jove
description: The god said to have sent the dreadful serpent-sign and a later thunder
signal on the right.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Mighty dragon / serpent
description: A serpent or dragon from the ground that coils around the tree, kills
the birds, and is turned to marble.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Mother-bird and eight young birds
description: A mother-bird and eight nestlings in the topmost branch of the plane-tree,
all slain by the serpent.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Nestor
description: An aged counselor who rebukes debate, urges perseverance, and advises
organizing the army by tribes and nations.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Achilles
description: A great warrior withdrawn from Greek aid after being provoked by Agamemnon
in a dispute over a captive maid.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Captive maid
description: A captive woman identified by Agamemnon as the cause of his quarrel
with Achilles.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: commander-king
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He gives orders to the warriors and is addressed as monarch and Atrides.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:2
label: wavering army
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The host grieves for home and is urged not to flee before Troy falls.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: prophetic interpreter
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Chalcas explains the omen and states its meaning for the duration and outcome
of the war.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: divine sender of signs
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The passage says the serpent omen came from Jove and that Jove sent thunder
as a prosperous signal.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: omen-creature
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The serpent's actions are treated as a portent sent by Jove and later interpreted
by Chalcas.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: omen-victims
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The birds are counted by Chalcas to determine the number of years of Greek
toil.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: elder counselor
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Nestor rebukes the army and gives strategic counsel to Agamemnon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: withdrawn champion
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Agamemnon says Achilles has withdrawn from Greek aid after being provoked
by him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: cause of dispute
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Agamemnon identifies a captive maid as the cause of the quarrel with Achilles.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: serpent omen
literal_form: Mighty dragon or serpent winding around the plane-tree and killing
the birds
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: sacred fountain
literal_form: Fountain's sacred brink at Aulis
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: plane-tree
literal_form: Plane-tree shading the altars and holding the birds' nest
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: burning sacrificial victims
literal_form: Victims blazing on verdant altars
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:5
label: marble prodigy
literal_form: The serpent turned to marble on Aulis sands
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: right-side thunder signal
literal_form: Thunder rolling on the right when the Greek fleet first sailed
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: birds and dogs as dishonorable death agents
literal_form: Birds mangling and dogs devouring the fearful deserter
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Army discouraged after nine years
summary: The speaker acknowledges the Greek army's grief and desire to return home
after a long campaign, but frames return before Troy's destruction as shameful.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Aulis sacrifice and serpent portent
summary: At Aulis, beside a sacred fountain and a plane-tree, the Greeks sacrifice;
a serpent emerges, coils around the tree, and devours eight nestlings and their
mother.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Serpent transformed and omen interpreted
summary: The serpent is turned to marble, and Chalcas interprets the number of slain
birds as nine years of labor followed by Troy's fall in the tenth year.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Nestor's rebuke and counsel
summary: Nestor rebukes fruitless debate, invokes past vows and divine signals,
warns against flight, and advises organizing the army by tribes and nations.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Agamemnon orders renewed battle
summary: Agamemnon praises Nestor, laments the quarrel with Achilles over a captive
maid, orders the troops to eat and arm for battle, and threatens cowards with
dishonorable death.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divine omen interpreted as a timed war prophecy
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: A sign sent by Jove is interpreted by Chalcas as predicting nine years of
Greek labor and Ilion's fall in the tenth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames the sign as divine and predictive, but the taxonomy
label 'divine_judgment' is broader than the specific omen-prophecy scene.
- id: motif:2
label: Serpent as portent-bearing creature
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: The serpent's violent action against the birds is explicitly called a dreadful
sign sent by Jove and becomes the basis of prophecy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: This is an omen function rather than a complete independent serpent myth.
- id: motif:3
label: Sacrifice preceding divine sign
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: The Greeks raise altars and burn victims at Aulis, after which the serpent
portent appears and is interpreted as divine will.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not state that the sacrifices caused the omen; it only
places them in sequence and ritual setting.
- id: motif:4
label: Elder wisdom guiding martial order
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Nestor's counsel is praised by Agamemnon, who wishes for ten such sages and
accepts strategic advice for organizing the army.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The motif is based on advisory speech and praise of wisdom, not on a separate
wisdom tale.
- id: motif:5
label: Broken or endangered war vows renewed through counsel
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: Nestor recalls leagues, engagements, libations, and victims, rebuking the
army for letting vows vanish and urging renewed commitment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage concerns military vows rather than a formal divine covenant.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: 'The Aulis episode functions as an omen-and-interpretation pattern: a striking
animal event sent by a god is decoded by a seer to forecast the duration and outcome
of a collective undertaking.'
claim_level: same_function
target: divine omen interpreted by seer pattern
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The claim is functional and internal to the passage; no historical
relationship to other traditions is asserted.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 3379-3397
quote_or_summary: The Greeks are described as longing for home and weeping after
nine revolving years, though return before Troy's destruction is called shameful.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 3398-3403
quote_or_summary: '"Beside a fountain''s sacred brink we raised / Our verdant altars,
and the victims blazed"; the plane-tree shades the altars.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 3403-3415
quote_or_summary: A mighty dragon or serpent, said to be sent by Jove, comes from
the ground, coils around the tree, and kills eight young birds and their mother.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 3416-3419
quote_or_summary: After the serpent kills the mother-bird, it does not long survive;
it is turned to marble and stands as a prodigy on Aulis sands.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 3420-3432
quote_or_summary: 'Chalcas declares the sign to be displayed by Jove: the number
of birds slain equals the years of Greek toil, with Ilion''s fall decreed in the
tenth.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 3433-3465
quote_or_summary: Nestor rebukes vain debate, recalls vows, libations, victims,
and engagements, urges Agamemnon to lead, and advises dividing the forces by tribes
and nations.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 3448-3452
quote_or_summary: Nestor says that when the Greek host first sailed, Jove sent a
prosperous signal on the right with rolling thunder.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 3466-3490
quote_or_summary: Agamemnon praises Nestor's wisdom, mentions Achilles' withdrawal
after a quarrel over a captive maid, and orders warriors to eat briefly and arm
for battle.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: lines 3491-3501
quote_or_summary: '"Who dares, inglorious, in his ships to stay... / The birds shall
mangle, and the dogs devour."'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The major figures, omen sequence, prophecy, counsel, and mobilization are
explicit. Motif labels are cautious because the supplied taxonomy is broad relative
to the passage-level details.
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 parallels or unsupplied taxonomy IDs added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg__l3379-l3501
passage_sha256=791d0b32ab48745eac3e7902e5f0a6384e597df4c5f314fdb1910ca222b22212