batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l8464-l8512
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l8464-l8512
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: SECTION VI. / OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE KORAN IN CIVIL AFFAIRS. / SECTION
VII. / SECTION VIII.; lines 8464-8512
start: '8464'
end: '8512'
translation: The Koran (Al-Qur'an)
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage recounts notices about al Mokanna's followers, identified with
white clothing, and then narrates the rise, military success, defeat, betrayal,
capture, and execution of Babec al Khorremi, who claimed prophetic status and
led a violent rebel movement against the Khalifs.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A promise that the adherents would receive the earth as their possession is
said to have kept a sect in being for several ages under names associated with
being clothed in white.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The white garments of the sect are contrasted with the black banners and habits
of the Khalifs of the family of Abbas.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Babec al Khorremi began to take the title of a prophet in the year of the
Hejra 201.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The narrator says Babec's doctrine is not known to him and reports that Babec
professed none of the religions then known in Asia.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Babec gained many devotees in Adherbijan and Persian Irak and became powerful
enough to wage war against the Khalif al Mamun.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Afshid overthrew Babec in battle, took his castles one by one, and eventually
shut him up in his principal fortress.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: After the principal fortress was taken, Babec escaped in disguise with some
family members and principal followers and took refuge in Greek territories.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Sahel, an Armenian officer, recognized Babec, lured him with offers of service
and respect, and treated him as a mighty prince until the moment of capture.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: At a meal, Sahel used mock royal language and ordered a smith to put fetters
on Babec's legs.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: Babec offered a large sum for his liberty, but Sahel sent him to Afshid.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:11
text: The passage reports that Babec was punished by having his mother, sister,
and wife ravished before him, described as retaliation for his own treatment of
prisoners.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:12
text: Afshid brought Babec to al Mutasem, by whose order Babec was put to an ignominious
and cruel death.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: The passage attributes to Babec a twenty-year resistance against the Khalifs
and the killing of more than two hundred and fifty thousand people, sparing neither
men, women, nor children among Mohammedans or their allies.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:14
text: The remaining sectaries of Babec are said to have been dispersed, with little
or no later mention by historians.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Mobeyyidites / Sefid jmehghin
description: A sect said to have persisted for several ages and to have worn white
garments.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Khalifs of the family of Abbas
description: Rulers whose banners and habits are described as black and contrasted
with the white-clothed sect.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: al Mokanna
description: A figure whose death is dated by historians to the 162nd or 163rd year
of the Hejra in this passage's notice.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Babec al Khorremi / Khorremdan
description: A rebel leader who claimed the title of prophet, gained devotees, fought
the Khalifs, was betrayed, captured, and executed.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Babec's devotees and sectaries
description: Followers in Adherbijan and Persian Irak, some of whom remained after
Babec's death and are said to have been dispersed.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: al Mamun
description: A Khalif against whom Babec waged war and whose troops Babec defeated
more than once.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: al Mutasem
description: Successor of al Mamun who employed the empire's forces against Babec
and ordered his execution.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Afshid
description: The general sent to reduce Babec; he captured Babec's castles, received
Babec from Sahel, and conducted him to al Mutasem.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Sahel
description: An Armenian officer who recognized Babec, lured him into his power,
mocked him as a king, and sent him to Afshid.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: smith
description: A smith summoned by Sahel to put fetters on Babec.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Babec's mother, sister, and wife
description: Female family members of Babec whom the passage says were ravished
before his face.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Mohammedans and their allies
description: Groups described as victims of Babec's custom of killing without sparing
men, women, or children.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
roles:
- id: role:1
label: sectarian followers
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:5
basis: The passage describes groups maintained by expectation of a promise or devoted
to Babec and later dispersed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: role:2
label: opposing Khalif authority
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:7
basis: The Abbasid Khalifs are contrasted with the white-clothed sect, fought by
Babec, and represented by al Mamun and al Mutasem.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: self-styled prophet
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Babec is said to have begun taking the title of prophet.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: rebel war leader
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Babec wages war, defeats troops, kills generals, holds out against imperial
force, and is called an arch-rebel.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: imperial general and captor
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Afshid is sent to reduce Babec, takes his strongholds, and conducts him to
al Mutasem.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: betrayer-host
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Sahel entices Babec by offers of service and respect, treats him as a prince,
then has him fettered and sent to Afshid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: instrumental captor
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The smith is summoned to place fetters on Babec.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: victims
assigned_to:
- fig:11
- fig:12
basis: Babec's female relatives are assaulted before him; Mohammedans and their
allies are named among those Babec did not spare.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: white garments
literal_form: White clothing worn by the Mobeyyidites / Sefid jmehghin.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: black banners and habits
literal_form: Black banners and black habits associated with the Khalifs of the
family of Abbas.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: castles and principal fortress
literal_form: Babec's castles and principal fortress taken by Afshid.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: disguise
literal_form: Babec's disguise during his escape from the taken fortress.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: table or meal
literal_form: The setting in which Sahel sits by Babec and initiates the mocking
capture.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: fetters
literal_form: Fetters placed on Babec's legs by order of Sahel.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:9
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: White-clothed sect persists after a promise
summary: A sect remains in being for several ages because of an expectation tied
to a promise of possession of the earth and is identified by white clothing in
contrast with Abbasid black.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Babec claims prophetic title and gathers power
summary: Babec takes the title of prophet, draws many devotees, and becomes powerful
enough to defeat forces of al Mamun.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Imperial reduction of Babec's fortresses
summary: Al Mutasem employs imperial forces; Afshid defeats Babec, takes his castles,
and confines him to his principal fortress, from which Babec escapes in disguise.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Betrayal under princely hospitality
summary: Sahel recognizes Babec, lures him with respectful offers, hosts him as
a prince, mocks him at table, and orders fetters placed on him.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Transfer, execution, and dispersal
summary: Babec is sent to Afshid, conducted to al Mutasem, executed cruelly, and
his remaining sectaries are described as dispersed.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: promise sustaining a sectarian community
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage says expectation of a promise of earthly possession kept the
sect in being for several ages.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The antecedent and fuller doctrinal context of the promise are outside
the supplied passage.
- id: motif:2
label: oppositional clothing colors marking rival groups
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The white garments of one sect are explicitly contrasted with the black banners
and habits of the Abbasid Khalifs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage reports a historical explanation rather than an explicit mythic
interpretation.
- id: motif:3
label: self-proclaimed prophet leading a rebel movement
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Babec is described as taking the title of prophet, gathering devotees, and
waging war against Khalifal power.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The narrator states that Babec's doctrine is unknown, limiting symbolic
or theological interpretation.
- id: motif:4
label: defeated rebel escapes in disguise from a fallen fortress
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: After his principal fortress is taken, Babec escapes in disguise with family
and principal followers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: This is a narrative pattern in the passage but is not linked to any supplied
taxonomy family.
- id: motif:5
label: betrayal through feigned honor and hospitality
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Sahel entices Babec with service and respect, treats him as a mighty prince,
then mocks and fetters him at a meal.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents this as a historical anecdote; no broader comparative
claim is made in the text.
- id: motif:6
label: retaliatory punishment mirroring the captive's former cruelty
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Sahel is said to have treated Babec in his own kind, because Babec used to
treat prisoners similarly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The reported sexual violence is presented polemically; extraction remains
descriptive and does not infer additional meaning.
- id: motif:7
label: arch-rebel's cruel public end after long resistance
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Babec is described as resisting Khalifal power for twenty years before being
brought to al Mutasem and put to an ignominious and cruel death.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: No taxonomy reference is assigned because the passage does not frame the
death as sacrifice, judgment, or resurrection.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 8464-8470
quote_or_summary: The passage says a promise of possession of the earth kept a sect
alive for ages under names meaning or associated with the clothed in white, contrasting
their white garments with Abbasid black banners and habits; al Mokanna's death
is dated shortly afterward.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 8470-8478
quote_or_summary: Babec al Khorremi takes the title of prophet in Hejra 201; his
doctrine is unknown, he is said to profess none of the then-known Asian religions,
gains many devotees, and defeats forces of al Mamun.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 8478-8487
quote_or_summary: Al Mutasem sends imperial forces under Afshid; Afshid defeats
Babec, takes his castles, shuts him in his principal fortress, and Babec escapes
in disguise with some family and followers into Greek territory.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 8487-8499
quote_or_summary: Sahel recognizes Babec, lures him by offers of service and respect,
treats him as a prince, mocks him at table, orders a smith to put fetters on him,
refuses ransom, and has Babec's mother, sister, and wife ravished before him in
retaliation for Babec's treatment of prisoners.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 8499-8508
quote_or_summary: Afshid conducts Babec to al Mutasem, who orders his ignominious
and cruel death; Babec is said to have resisted the Khalifs for twenty years,
killed more than 250,000 people, spared no men, women, or children among Mohammedans
or allies, and left sectaries who were dispersed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: citation
locator: lines 8508-8512
quote_or_summary: Footnotes cite Abulfaragius, Lobb al Tawarikh, Ebn Shohnah, al
Tabari, Khondamir, Elmacin, and D'Herbelot for the historical notices.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; citation summarized.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: The extraction is limited by the passage's fragmentary opening and by its
character as a historical and polemical note rather than a mythic narrative. No
comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not support them.
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 supplied passage and metadata; taxonomy references left empty where not directly supported.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l8464-l8512
passage_sha256=3b0f00224469c3f25c083d99469a8e218be62b452e9dc279805ed9c9dbdb1a58