batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l6234-l6371
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg-l6234-l6371
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
passage_locator:
label: THE BREACH OF THE TRUCE, AND THE FIRST BATTLE. / BOOK V. / ARGUMENT. / THE
ACTS OF DIOMED.; lines 6234-6371
start: '6234'
end: '6371'
translation: The Iliad
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage describes battlefield dust and divine involvement after a goddess
withdraws; Apollo restores neas to the Trojans, Mars and Bellona inflame the fighting,
Greek leaders exhort their troops, several warriors are killed, chariot gear is
seized, Hector advances, and Diomed/Tydides pauses in fear before the divine war-force
around Hector.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Dust from horses and chariots covers the Greek host and is compared to chaff
and dust rising from grain winnowing on Ceres' floor.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Mars hovers over the field with a dark shield and increases the terror of
the battle.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: After the blue-eyed maid leaves the fight, the Trojan warriors are stirred
with renewed energy.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Apollo brings neas from his sacred fane to the Trojan forces alive, unharmed,
and vigorous from his wound.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Diomed, the two Ajaxes, and Ulysses stand with the Greeks in a close formation,
silent and unmoved under attack.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: A Greek commander exhorts the Greeks to courage, honor, and glorious deeds,
warning that cowardice brings death and shame.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The commander's spear kills Deicoon, whose shield and belt fail to stop the
weapon.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: neas kills Orsilochus and Crethon; their lineage from Diocleus and their departure
from home in ships are recalled before their deaths are compared to lions and
firs.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Menelaus advances against neas, while Antilochus comes to assist him; neas
turns back from the unequal encounter.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Pylmenes is killed by Atrides, and Mydon is killed by a stone thrown by Nestor's
son; Mydon's reins fall, and the victor takes the empty chariot seat toward the
fleet.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Hector responds to the Greek success by charging with the Trojans while Mars
and Bellona appear at the front of the battle.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Diomed/Tydides stops and experiences fear, compared to a traveler halted by
an impassable foaming brook.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Ceres
description: Named in the agricultural simile as possessing a sacred floor where
grain is winnowed.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Mars
description: War deity hovering over the field with a sable shield and later moving
before and behind Hector.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Apollo
description: Divine figure whose will Mars fulfills and who produces neas alive
from his sacred fane.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: the blue-eyed maid
description: Female divine figure who retires from the fight before the Trojans
receive renewed warmth.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: neas
description: Trojan warrior restored by Apollo, later killer of Orsilochus and Crethon,
and later withdrawing before Menelaus and Antilochus.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Diomed / Tydides
description: Greek warrior standing with Ajax and Ulysses; later he halts in fear
when Hector advances with divine support.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: the two Ajaxes
description: Greek warriors standing with Diomed and Ulysses in the close Greek
formation.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Ulysses
description: Greek warrior standing with Diomed and the Ajaxes, described as bathed
in hostile blood.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Greek general / monarch
description: Commander who moves from troop to troop, exhorts the Greeks, and kills
Deicoon with a spear.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Deicoon
description: Friend of neas, honored like Priam's royal race, killed when the commander's
spear passes through shield and belt.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Orsilochus
description: Son descended from Diocleus' line; killed by neas on the Phrygian plain.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Crethon
description: Companion or kinsman of Orsilochus; killed by neas on the Phrygian
plain.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Diocleus
description: Wealthy, brave father or ancestor connected to Orsilochus and Crethon's
lineage at Pherae.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Menelaus / Spartan king / Helen's lord
description: Greek warrior who pities the slain bodies and advances with a bright
lance against neas.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Antilochus / Nestor's son
description: Warrior who rushes to aid Menelaus and later kills Mydon with a thrown
stone and takes the chariot seat.
role_refs:
- role:11
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:16
name_or_label: Pylmenes
description: Leader of the Paphlagonians, armored in brass, killed when Atrides
strikes his throat with a javelin.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:17
name_or_label: Mydon
description: Charioteer or companion whose arm is struck by a stone and whose head
is driven into the sand as he dies.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:18
name_or_label: Hector
description: Trojan leader who sees the Greek success, rages, and leads a renewed
advance with divine war-forces.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:19
name_or_label: Bellona
description: Dread battle goddess appearing with Mars in front of Hector's advance,
associated with flame and a spear of dreadful light.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: agricultural deity in simile
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Ceres is named in the grain-winnowing comparison.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: war deity or battle-force
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:19
basis: Mars and Bellona appear as divine forces intensifying battle around Hector.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: role:3
label: divine restorer and protector
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Apollo brings neas out alive, unharmed, and vigorous after a wound.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: departing divine participant
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The blue-eyed maid retires from the fight before Trojan spirits rise.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: restored Trojan warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: neas is presented alive and vigorous from his wound, then returns to battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: Greek battle champion
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
basis: These Greek fighters stand together in close formation against the attacking
host.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: Greek commander and exhorter
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The general moves among troops, speaks an exhortation, and follows it with
a spear attack.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: Trojan killer in renewed combat
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: neas lays Orsilochus and Crethon in the dust.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: slain combatant
assigned_to:
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:16
- fig:17
basis: Each named warrior is described as killed or fallen in the passage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: lineage ancestor or father
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Diocleus is named in the genealogy of Orsilochus and Crethon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:11
label: ally and rescuer in combat
assigned_to:
- fig:14
- fig:15
basis: Menelaus advances against neas, and Antilochus rushes in to aid him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:12
label: victor and taker of chariot prize
assigned_to:
- fig:15
basis: Nestor's son kills Mydon and mounts the empty chariot seat, bearing the prize
toward the fleet.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:13
label: Trojan leader in divine-supported charge
assigned_to:
- fig:18
basis: Hector leads the Trojan advance while Mars and Bellona accompany the front.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: winnowing dust and battlefield dust
literal_form: chaff, grain dust, and white dust raised by horses and chariots
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: dark war cloud
literal_form: dusky clouds and smoking volumes rising from the earth into the sky
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: sable shield
literal_form: Mars' dark shield hovering over the field
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: fixed clouds on hill summits
literal_form: low-hung vapors resting motionless on shaded hill summits
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: young mountain lions
literal_form: two young mountain lions from deep wooded recesses attacking folds
and stalls
associated_figures:
- fig:11
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: mountain firs
literal_form: tall straight mountain firs used to compare the bodies of Orsilochus
and Crethon
associated_figures:
- fig:11
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: stone missile
literal_form: broken rock thrown by Nestor's son at Mydon
associated_figures:
- fig:15
- fig:17
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: reins and empty chariot seat
literal_form: ivory-studded reins dropped in dust and an empty chariot seat taken
as prize
associated_figures:
- fig:15
- fig:17
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:9
label: battle flame and dreadful light
literal_form: fields in flames, Bellona's flame, and a spear casting dreadful light
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:18
- fig:19
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: sym:10
label: impassable brook
literal_form: swelling brook with foaming rough waves blocking a wanderer's way
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Battlefield dust and divine escalation
summary: The Greek host is whitened with dust like grain chaff, while Mars hovers
over the darkened field and Apollo's will supports Troy.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Apollo restores neas to the Trojans
summary: After the blue-eyed maid withdraws, Apollo brings neas from his shrine
alive, unharmed, and vigorous from his wound, and battle resumes without pause.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Greek formation and exhortation
summary: Diomed, the Ajaxes, and Ulysses stand firm with the Greeks; the commander
exhorts the troops to courage and honor.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Deicoon slain by the commander's spear
summary: The commander follows his speech with a spear cast that pierces Deicoon's
shield and belt and kills him.
figure_refs:
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: neas kills Orsilochus and Crethon
summary: neas kills two young warriors whose lineage and departure from home are
recalled; their deaths are compared to mountain lions and fallen firs.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Menelaus and Antilochus confront neas
summary: Menelaus advances against neas, Antilochus rushes in to help, and neas
avoids the unequal force; the Greeks draw back the bodies and reenter battle.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:14
- fig:15
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:7
label: Pylmenes and Mydon killed
summary: Atrides kills Pylmenes, and Nestor's son kills Mydon with a stone, causing
the reins to fall and the chariot to be seized as a prize.
figure_refs:
- fig:15
- fig:16
- fig:17
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:8
label: Hector advances with Mars and Bellona
summary: Hector sees the scene, rouses the Trojans, and advances with Mars and Bellona
flaming and thundering at the front.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:18
- fig:19
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:9
label: Diomed halts in fear
summary: Diomed/Tydides pauses in his career and is compared to a traveler stopped
by foaming water before addressing his troops.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine intervention in battle
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: 'Multiple deities directly alter or intensify the fighting: Apollo restores
neas, Mars hovers over the field, the blue-eyed maid withdraws, and Mars and Bellona
accompany Hector.'
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not provide a full theological explanation; it only shows
divine presence and action within the battle.
- id: motif:2
label: divine restoration of a wounded warrior
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Apollo brings neas from his sacred fane alive, unharmed, and vigorous from
a wound.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states restoration from a wound, not death; it should not
be treated as a literal resurrection without outside context.
- id: motif:3
label: battlefield chaos animated by divine powers
taxonomy_refs:
- chaos
basis: Discord, Apollo, Fame, Mars, Hector's advance, and Bellona are all linked
to tumult, flame, thunder, and intensified fighting.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy link to chaos is interpretive because the passage frames
the disorder as martial tumult rather than a cosmogonic chaos motif.
- id: motif:4
label: heroic exhortation of glory and shame
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Greek commander urges warriors to honor themselves and their companions,
promising glory or lamented death for the brave and shame for the coward.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: This is an ethical battle speech motif, not one of the supplied named
mythic families.
- id: motif:5
label: pathos of slain young warriors through genealogy and simile
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Orsilochus and Crethon's family background and homeland are recalled, and
their deaths are compared to young mountain lions and tall firs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is literary and commemorative; it does not by itself prove a
broader mythic pattern.
- id: motif:6
label: seizure of chariot as martial prize
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: After Mydon dies, the victor mounts the empty seat and carries the prize
toward the fleet.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives a single instance; broader ritual or heroic significance
is not stated here.
- id: motif:7
label: hero checked by fear before overwhelming force
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Diomed/Tydides pauses for the first time in fear when Hector approaches with
divine war-forces, like a traveler stopped by impassable water.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The cause of fear is implied by the sequence rather than explicitly analyzed
in the passage.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 6234-6245
quote_or_summary: The battlefield dust is compared to chaff and grain-dust on Ceres'
floor, rising from horses and chariots into the sky.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated for extraction.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 6246-6260
quote_or_summary: Mars hovers with a sable shield; after the blue-eyed maid retires,
Apollo produces neas from his fane alive, unharmed, and vigorous from his wound,
while battle-deities and battle-cries intensify the field.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated for extraction.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 6261-6283
quote_or_summary: Diomed, the Ajaxes, and Ulysses stand firm with the Greeks; the
general exhorts the troops to courage, honor, glory, and avoidance of shame.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated for extraction.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 6284-6295
quote_or_summary: The commander's spear strikes Deicoon, friend of neas, piercing
shield and belt; Deicoon dies and his armor rattles as he falls.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated for extraction.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 6296-6338
quote_or_summary: neas kills Orsilochus and Crethon; their genealogy and homeland
are recalled; they are compared to young mountain lions and fallen firs; Menelaus
and Antilochus confront neas, who withdraws before the unequal force.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated for extraction.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 6339-6355
quote_or_summary: Pylmenes is killed by Atrides; Mydon is killed by a stone from
Nestor's son, drops the ivory-studded reins, and the victor mounts the empty chariot
seat as a prize.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated for extraction.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 6356-6366
quote_or_summary: Hector sees the Greek success and charges with the Trojans; Mars
and Bellona appear at the front, with flame, thunder, and a spear of dreadful
light.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated for extraction.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 6367-6371
quote_or_summary: Diomed/Tydides pauses and first feels fear, compared to a traveler
stopped by a foaming swollen brook before turning to address his troops.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/iliad-pope.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated for extraction.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction relies only on the supplied English passage. Some conventional
identifications are avoided or kept in the passage's wording where the text gives
epithets or ambiguous titles.
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 external comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly compare this material with other traditions or motif families beyond its internal similes.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-iliad-pope-gutenberg__l6234-l6371
passage_sha256=de4e5231644488629e9a141b347a95bcf7073189630b04576d9ef3d391f5b68a