batch.motif.roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley-gutenberg-l1067-l1126
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley-gutenberg-l1067-l1126
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK THE EIGHTH. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION.; lines 1067-1126
start: '1067'
end: '1126'
translation: The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books VIII-XV
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: During a boar hunt, several heroes attack in disorder. Ancaeus boasts of
male weapons and is killed by the beast. Other missiles miss or are deflected,
including one that kills a dog. The son of Œneus wounds the beast successfully;
the slain beast’s skin and tusked head are given to the Nonacrian Nymph. The sons
of Thestius object to a woman receiving the honor, seize the prize, and the offended
prince kills Plexippus and Toxeus.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A first observer points out blood to his companions and says the wounded one
will receive due honor for bravery.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The heroes encourage one another, shout, and discharge weapons without order;
their crowding hinders the thrown weapons.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The Arcadian boasts that men’s weapons excel women’s weapons and claims he
will destroy the beast even if Diana protects it.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The beast kills Ancaeus with its tusks, and the earth is soaked with blood.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Pirithoüs advances against the enemy with a spear, and the son of Ægeus warns
him to remain at a distance.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: A lance of cornel wood is thrown but is stopped by a leafy branch of a beech
tree.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The son of Æson throws a javelin that misses the beast and kills an unoffending
dog.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The son of Œneus throws two spears; one lands in the earth and the other in
the beast’s back, and he later buries a hunting spear in its shoulder.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The companions shout approval, try to grasp the victorious right hand, and
stain their weapons with the beast’s blood while avoiding touching it directly.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The slain beast’s skin and tusked head are presented to the Nonacrian Nymph
as spoil.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: The company envies the Nonacrian Nymph, and the sons of Thestius demand that
she lay down the prize and not interfere with their honors.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: The sons of Thestius take the present from the Nonacrian Nymph and take from
the donor the right of disposing of it.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: The warlike prince kills Plexippus with a sword and then kills Toxeus with
the same weapon.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: the beast
description: A tusked beast attacked by the heroes; it kills Ancaeus and is later
wounded and made into spoil.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: the heroes / companions
description: A group of armed hunters who shout, discharge weapons, and later celebrate
the beast’s fall.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: the Arcadian / Ancaeus
description: A battle-axe wielder who boasts before attacking and is killed by the
beast’s tusks.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Pirithoüs, son of Ixion
description: A warrior advancing directly against the enemy while shaking a spear.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: the son of Ægeus
description: A companion who warns Pirithoüs to stop and throws a lance that is
blocked by a beech branch.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: the son of Æson
description: A javelin thrower whose missile is diverted and kills a dog.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: the unoffending dog
description: A dog killed when the son of Æson’s javelin passes through its entrails
and pins it to the earth.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: the son of Œneus / warlike prince
description: The successful hunter whose weapon wounds the beast and who later reacts
violently when the spoil is seized.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Nonacrian Nymph
description: Female recipient of the beast’s skin and tusked head; the gift and
giver please her.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: sons of Thestius
description: Men who object to the Nonacrian Nymph receiving the honors and seize
the present.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Plexippus
description: A man pierced in the breast by the warlike prince’s sword.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Toxeus
description: A man who hesitates between avenging his brother and fearing his brother’s
fate before he is killed.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: dangerous quarry
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The beast is the target of the hunters’ weapons and kills one attacker with
its tusks.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: role:2
label: armed hunting company
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The companions shout, encourage one another, throw weapons, and witness the
beast lying on the ground.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: boastful attacker killed by beast
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Ancaeus boasts of destroying the beast and is immediately seized and gored.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: warned attacker
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Pirithoüs advances straight at the enemy and is warned by the son of Ægeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: cautioning companion
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The son of Ægeus tells Pirithoüs to stop and recommends valor at a distance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: unlucky missile thrower
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The son of Æson’s javelin is turned aside from the beast and kills a dog.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: successful beast-wounder
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The son of Œneus lands spears in the beast and drives a hunting spear into
its shoulder.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: source of trophy
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The beast’s skin and head are given as spoil after it lies on the ground.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: accidental victim
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The dog is described as unoffending and killed by a misdirected javelin.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: avenger of seized honor
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: After the present is taken, the warlike prince speaks of spoilers of another’s
honor and kills Plexippus and Toxeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: female recipient of hunting spoil
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The skin and head are given to the Nonacrian Nymph, and the gift pleases
her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:12
label: seizers of contested honor
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The sons of Thestius command the woman to lay down the prize and take it
from her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:13
label: slain brothers
assigned_to:
- fig:11
- fig:12
basis: Plexippus is pierced first, and Toxeus is then killed while considering avenging
his brother.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: blood and gore
literal_form: blood, gore, entrails, blood-stained weapons
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: tusks
literal_form: the beast’s two tusks and the head remarkable for huge tusks
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: animal skin trophy
literal_form: the beast’s skin, thick with stiffening bristles
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:4
label: weapons of the hunt and quarrel
literal_form: battle-axe, spears, javelin, hunting spear, sword
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: beech branch
literal_form: a leafy branch of a beech tree blocking the lance
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Chaotic attack and death of Ancaeus
summary: The heroes attack in disorder. Ancaeus boasts that male weapons will prevail,
but the beast gores and kills him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Warnings and failed missiles
summary: Pirithoüs advances and is warned by the son of Ægeus; a lance is blocked
by a beech branch, and the son of Æson’s javelin kills a dog instead of the beast.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Wounding of the beast and award of spoil
summary: The son of Œneus wounds the raging beast, the companions celebrate, and
the beast’s skin and head are given to the Nonacrian Nymph.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Seizure of the trophy and fratricidal revenge
summary: The sons of Thestius object that a woman should not take their honors,
seize the present, and the warlike prince kills Plexippus and Toxeus.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: heroic hunt against a deadly beast
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A group of heroes attacks a tusked beast; the beast kills an attacker, resists
several missiles, and is eventually wounded and displayed as a conquered quarry.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents the hunt episode but does not name a broader taxonomy
family for heroic beast-slaying.
- id: motif:2
label: boastful challenger immediately destroyed
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ancaeus boasts that his hand will destroy the beast, even against Diana’s
protection, and is then killed by the beast’s tusks.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is confined to one brief episode within the larger hunt.
- id: motif:3
label: contested hunting trophy and disputed honor
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The beast’s skin and tusked head are awarded to the Nonacrian Nymph; others
envy her, and the sons of Thestius seize the prize while claiming it interferes
with their honors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames the object as honor and spoil, not as a ritual or sacred
exchange.
- id: motif:4
label: seized honor leading to retaliatory kin-killing
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: After the trophy is taken from the recipient and donor, the warlike prince
kills Plexippus and Toxeus, who are presented as brothers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives the violent consequence but does not fully explain the
kin relationships beyond the brother reference.
- id: motif:5
label: misdirected weapon harms an unintended victim
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The son of Æson’s javelin is turned away from the beast and kills an unoffending
dog.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: This is a localized incident within the hunt.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 1067-1074
quote_or_summary: A first observer points out blood and promises honor for bravery;
the heroes blush, encourage one another, shout, and throw weapons in disorder,
with the crowd hindering the blows.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 1074-1086
quote_or_summary: The Arcadian boasts that men’s weapons surpass women’s and that
he will destroy the beast despite Diana; the beast gores Ancaeus with its tusks,
and his blood and entrails fall to the earth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 1086-1094
quote_or_summary: Pirithoüs advances with a spear; the son of Ægeus warns him that
rash courage destroyed Ancaeus and throws a cornel-wood lance, but a leafy beech
branch stops it.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 1095-1099
quote_or_summary: The son of Æson throws a javelin, but chance turns it away from
the beast; it passes through an unoffending dog and pins it to the earth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 1099-1109
quote_or_summary: 'The son of Œneus has better success: one spear enters the beast’s
back, and he later drives a shining hunting spear into its shoulder while it rages,
foams, and bleeds; the companions shout and stain weapons with its blood.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 1109-1117
quote_or_summary: The hunter places his foot on the beast’s frightful head, addresses
the Nonacrian Nymph, and gives her the bristled skin and tusked head as spoil;
she is pleased, while the others envy her.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 1117-1123
quote_or_summary: The sons of Thestius tell the woman to lay the spoils down and
not interfere with their honors; they take the present from her and the right
of disposing of it from the donor.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 1123-1126
quote_or_summary: The warlike prince, angered at the spoilers of another’s honor,
pierces Plexippus in the breast and then kills Toxeus with the weapon still reeking
from the first slaughter.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary generated from provided passage.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Some figure identities
are kept descriptive because the passage’s naming and bracketed interpolation
are not fully self-explanatory within this excerpt.
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 support a comparison to another text, tradition, or broader motif family beyond the local motifs extracted.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley-gutenberg__l1067-l1126
passage_sha256=0859ec8829eb73ec963d5dadadb822c08f0e48525a6eb17d89ca4a49444d5973