batch.motif.roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley-gutenberg-l10726-l10814
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley-gutenberg-l10726-l10814
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
passage_locator:
label: EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / BOOK THE SEVENTH.; lines 10726-10814
start: '10726'
end: '10814'
translation: The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books I-VII
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: "“By my agency thou shalt be saved; when saved, grant what thou hast promised.”"
summary: A maiden’s checked passion revives when she sees the son of Æson. He asks
for her help and promises marriage; she gives him enchanted herbs after an oath.
With this aid he survives the fire-breathing bulls, yokes them to plough, sows
dragon’s teeth that become armed earth-born warriors, turns those warriors against
one another, lulls the sleepless dragon guarding the Golden Fleece, takes the
gold, and returns to Iolcos with the maiden as his wife.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Virtue, Affection, and Modesty are described as standing before the maiden’s
eyes, and Cupid turns his vanquished back.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The maiden goes toward ancient altars of Hecate hidden by a shady grove and
recesses of a wood.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Her passion has subsided, but revives when she sees the son of Æson.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The son of Æson seizes her right hand, asks for assistance humbly, and promises
marriage.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: She says she knows what she ought to do, but love will beguile her, and she
promises that he will be saved through her agency.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: He swears by the rites of the triple-formed goddess, the deity in the grove,
the all-seeing sire of his future father-in-law, his own adventures, and great
dangers.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: After being believed, he receives enchanted herbs, learns their use, and returns
rejoicing to his lodging.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: The people gather in the sacred field of Mavors, with the king seated in purple
and marked by an ivory sceptre.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Brazen-footed bulls breathe flames from adamantine nostrils and burn the grass
with their vapor.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The son of Æson approaches the bulls, is unharmed by their flames because
of the incantations, strokes their dewlaps, yokes them, and makes them draw a
plough.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: He places dragon’s teeth in a brazen helmet and strews them over the ploughed
fields.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: The sown teeth grow into human bodies in the earth and emerge armed.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: The earth-born warriors prepare to throw spears at the son of Æson.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: The maiden becomes frightened, repeats an auxiliary charm, and summons her
secret arts.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: The hero throws a heavy stone among the warriors, causing them to turn their
fighting against one another; they perish by mutual wounds.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:16
text: The Greeks congratulate and embrace the conqueror; the maiden rejoices silently
and gives thanks to her charms and the gods who authored them.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:17
text: A watchful dragon with crest, three tongues, and hooked teeth guards the Golden
Fleece.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:18
text: The son of Æson sprinkles the dragon with herbs of Lethean juice and repeats
sleep-causing words three times.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:19
text: Sleep comes upon the dragon’s previously sleepless eyes; the son of Æson gains
the gold and arrives victorious at Iolcos with the maiden as his wife.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: the barbarian maiden
description: A maiden whose love for the son of Æson revives; she provides enchanted
herbs, charms, and secret arts, and later becomes his wife.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: the son of Æson
description: The youth and hero who asks for help, promises marriage, performs the
ordeals, takes the Golden Fleece, and returns to Iolcos.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Hecate, daughter of Perses
description: A goddess associated with ancient altars hidden in a shady grove and
with triple-formed rites invoked in the oath.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Cupid
description: Cupid is described as turning his vanquished back when Virtue, Affection,
and Modesty appear before the maiden.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Virtue, Affection, and Modesty
description: Personified qualities said to stand before the maiden’s eyes.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: the king
description: A king seated amid the assembly in the sacred field, arrayed in purple
and distinguished by an ivory sceptre.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: brazen-footed bulls
description: Bulls with brazen feet, adamantine nostrils, iron-pointed horns, fiery
breath, and smoke-filled lowing.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: earth-born brothers
description: Armed men who grow from sown dragon’s teeth in the ploughed earth and
die by mutual wounds.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: watchful dragon
description: A sleepless dragon with a crest, three tongues, and hooked teeth, guarding
the Golden Fleece.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: the Minyæ / Greeks / Pelasgians
description: Groups witnessing the ordeals; they fear for the hero and later congratulate
him.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: the Colchians
description: A group astonished after the yoking and ploughing of the fire-breathing
bulls.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: enchanted helper
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: She gives enchanted herbs, repeats an auxiliary charm, and summons secret
arts to protect the hero.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: role:2
label: promised bride and later wife
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The son of Æson promises marriage, and the passage ends with him arriving
at Iolcos with her as wife.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:9
- id: role:3
label: suppliant lover
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: He takes the maiden’s right hand, begs assistance humbly, and promises marriage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: ordeal performer
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: He confronts and yokes the fiery bulls, sows the dragon’s teeth, defeats
the earth-born warriors, and lulls the dragon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: role:5
label: winner of the guarded prize
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: After the dragon sleeps, he gains the gold and returns victorious.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:6
label: goddess invoked in oath and ritual setting
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Her ancient altars are the destination, and her triple-formed rites are invoked
in the oath.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: defeated force of desire
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Cupid is described as turning his vanquished back before the maiden’s renewed
encounter with the hero.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:8
label: personified inner restraints or qualities
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Virtue, Affection, and Modesty stand before the maiden’s eyes as she is resolving
herself.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:9
label: royal spectator
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The king sits in the middle of the assembly, marked by purple and an ivory
sceptre.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: fiery trial animals
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The bulls breathe flames and must be approached, stroked, yoked, and made
to plough.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:11
label: earth-born armed opponents
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: They arise from sown teeth, bear arms, attack the hero, and kill one another.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:12
label: serpentine guardian of treasure
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The dragon guards the Golden Fleece until sleep is induced by herbs and words.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:13
label: witnessing groups
assigned_to:
- fig:10
- fig:11
basis: These groups observe the ordeals, react with fear or astonishment, and celebrate
the conqueror.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: hidden altars of Hecate
literal_form: ancient altars concealed by a shady grove and recesses of a wood
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: enchanted herbs
literal_form: herbs given to the son of Æson and used against fire and the dragon
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:9
- id: sym:3
label: fire from bulls
literal_form: flames breathed from the bulls’ adamantine nostrils
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: yoke and plough
literal_form: the yoke, heavy plough, and share used to turn an untilled plain
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: dragon’s teeth as seed
literal_form: dragon’s teeth sown in ploughed fields from a brazen helmet
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: pregnant earth
literal_form: earth described as bearing and ripening human figures in its bowels
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: stone cast among enemies
literal_form: a heavy stone hurled into the midst of the armed earth-born enemies
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:8
label: watchful dragon
literal_form: crested, three-tongued, hooked-toothed dragon guarding the Golden
Fleece
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:9
label: Lethean sleep-herbs
literal_form: herbs of Lethean juice sprinkled on the dragon
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:10
label: Golden Fleece / gold
literal_form: the Golden Fleece and gold guarded by the dragon and taken by the
hero
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: The maiden’s revived passion and promise of help
summary: The maiden’s earlier resolve weakens when she sees the son of Æson. He
begs for her help and promises marriage; she acknowledges that love, not ignorance,
will lead her to aid him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Oath and transfer of enchanted herbs
summary: The son of Æson swears by divine and personal witnesses. The maiden believes
him, gives him enchanted herbs, and teaches him how to use them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Assembly at the sacred field and fiery bull ordeal
summary: An assembly gathers around the sacred field with the king present. The
hero faces the fire-breathing bulls, is protected by incantations, yokes them,
and ploughs the field.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: scene:4
label: Sowing dragon’s teeth and battle of the earth-born
summary: The hero sows dragon’s teeth in the ploughed earth. Armed men emerge and
threaten him; the maiden adds a charm, and he throws a stone that causes the warriors
to kill one another.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Dragon put to sleep and Golden Fleece taken
summary: The hero uses Lethean herbs and thrice-repeated sleep words on the dragon
guarding the Golden Fleece. The dragon sleeps, the hero takes the gold, and he
reaches Iolcos victorious with the maiden as wife.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
- sym:9
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: aid won through promised marriage
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The son of Æson asks for aid and promises marriage; the maiden grants saving
assistance after believing his oath.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents a marriage promise and magical aid, but does not
frame the exchange as a formal sacred bargain beyond oath and divine witnesses.
- id: motif:2
label: magical helper enables hero to pass impossible ordeals
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The maiden provides enchanted herbs, instructions, auxiliary charms, and
secret arts that allow the hero to survive flames, defeat earth-born foes, and
overcome the dragon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy contains no exact 'magical helper' motif; the 'wisdom'
reference is used only for the helper’s operative knowledge and secret arts.
- id: motif:3
label: fire-breathing animals yoked by protected hero
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The brazen-footed bulls breathe flames, but incantations protect the hero
while he yokes them and ploughs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: No exact available taxonomy motif family corresponds to this ordeal.
- id: motif:4
label: sown teeth become armed earth-born warriors
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_birth
basis: Dragon’s teeth are sown in the field, the earth is described as pregnant,
and armed human forms emerge from it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The warriors are not infants or a sacred child; the taxonomy reference
is approximate because the passage emphasizes generation from earth rather than
ordinary birth.
- id: motif:5
label: enemies induced to destroy one another
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: The hero throws a stone into the group of earth-born enemies, turning their
warfare away from himself and causing mutual slaughter.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The act is a tactical redirection rather than an explicitly comic or boundary-crossing
trickster episode.
- id: motif:6
label: sleepless serpentine guardian put to sleep before treasure is taken
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
- sacred_theft
basis: A watchful dragon guards the Golden Fleece; herbs and repeated words make
it sleep, allowing the hero to gain the gold.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage says the hero 'gains' the gold and calls it spoil; it does
not explicitly moralize the act as theft.
- id: motif:7
label: hero returns victorious with bride and prize
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: After gaining the guarded gold, the son of Æson arrives victorious at the
port of Iolcos with the maiden as wife.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The return is stated briefly and without extended journey details.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 10726-10733
quote_or_summary: Virtue, Affection, and Modesty appear before the maiden; Cupid
turns away; she goes toward ancient altars of Hecate concealed in a grove and
wood.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: 10733-10750
quote_or_summary: Her love is rekindled when she sees the son of Æson; he takes
her right hand, asks help, promises marriage, and she says, “By my agency thou
shalt be saved; when saved, grant what thou hast promised.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 10751-10758
quote_or_summary: He swears by the rites of the triple-formed goddess, the deity
in the grove, an all-seeing divine sire, his adventures, and dangers; after she
believes him, he receives enchanted herbs and learns their use.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 10758-10762
quote_or_summary: At morning the people gather at the sacred field of Mavors, while
the king sits in the assembly arrayed in purple and marked by an ivory sceptre.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 10762-10780
quote_or_summary: Brazen-footed bulls breathe flames from adamantine nostrils; the
son of Æson, protected by incantations, approaches, strokes, yokes, and makes
them draw a plough over the untilled plain.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 10781-10793
quote_or_summary: From a brazen helmet he sows dragon’s teeth in the ploughed fields;
the teeth grow into new human bodies within the pregnant earth and emerge armed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 10793-10803
quote_or_summary: The armed earth-born enemies prepare to attack; the frightened
maiden repeats an auxiliary charm and summons secret arts; the hero throws a heavy
stone and makes the warriors kill one another.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 10803-10809
quote_or_summary: The Greeks congratulate and embrace the conqueror; the maiden
restrains her wish to embrace him, rejoices silently, and gives thanks to her
charms and the gods who authored them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 10809-10814
quote_or_summary: A watchful crested dragon with three tongues and hooked teeth
guards the Golden Fleece; the hero sprinkles it with Lethean herbs, repeats sleep
words three times, makes it sleep, gains the gold, and arrives victorious at Iolcos
with his wife.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Literal extraction is based directly on the supplied passage. Motif taxonomy
links are cautious where the available taxonomy lacks exact labels for magical
helper, fire-breathing bull ordeal, and earth-born warriors. No comparison claims
were made because the passage itself does not explicitly compare this episode
with another tradition or motif family.
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 text and metadata. The name Medea is not assigned because the provided passage refers to her primarily as the maiden rather than by name.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley-gutenberg__l10726-l10814
passage_sha256=81d6077c00b8f313bcf78aa50665588df51b4e60941d43903cec63ffba045657