batch.motif.roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley-gutenberg-l13291-l13376
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley-gutenberg-l13291-l13376
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK THE FIFTEENTH. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION.; lines 13291-13376
start: '13291'
end: '13376'
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: A prefatory explanation mentions Cippus choosing exile rather than enslaving
Rome. The main passage recounts a Roman pestilence, consultation of Delphi, Apollo's
instruction to seek his son, an embassy to Epidaurus for Aesculapius, the god's
dream appearance to a Roman, his announced transformation into a serpent, and
his serpent manifestation in the Epidaurian temple before gliding toward the harbor.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A prefatory explanation says Cippus may have dreamt of horns, consulted augurs,
and preferred exile to enslaving his country.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Rome is afflicted by a dire contagion that mortal efforts and physicians cannot
remedy.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Romans consult the Delphian oracle, which is described as occupying the centre
spot of the world.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The oracle says Rome needs not Apollo himself but Apollo's son, and instructs
the Romans to invite him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The Senate sends envoys by ship to Epidaurus to ask for the divinity whose
presence can end the mortality of the Ausonian nation.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: The Epidaurian council is divided; some would aid Rome, while many refuse
to give up their own guardian deity.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: In sleep, the saving god appears to a Roman by his couch, holding a rustic
staff and stroking his beard.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The god tells the Roman to observe the serpent entwined around the staff,
because he will be changed into that form and appear larger.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The next morning, nobles gather in the god's temple and ask him to indicate
by celestial tokens where he wishes to abide.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: The god appears in serpent form, glittering with gold, crest erect, hissing,
shaking the statue, altars, doors, pavement, and roof.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: The priest recognizes the serpent as the god and calls those present to good-omened
worship.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: The deity favors the worshippers by hissing three times, then descends the
steps, looks back at his old altars and temple, and glides toward the harbor through
strewn flowers.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: The fable summary states that after the god arrives at Rome, the contagion
ceases and a temple is built in his honor.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Cippus
description: A Roman figure in the prefatory explanation who is said to have preferred
exile rather than enslaving his country.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Romans / descendants of Aeneas
description: The plague-stricken people of Rome who seek divine aid, send envoys,
and give pious omens before the god.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Apollo / Phoebus
description: The Delphian oracle deity who answers that Rome should seek his son
rather than Apollo himself.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Aesculapius / son of Coronis / son of Apollo
description: The healing divinity sought from Epidaurus; he appears in a dream,
announces transformation into a serpent, manifests in the temple, and departs
toward the harbor.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Roman ambassadors
description: Envoys sent by the Roman Senate to Epidaurus to request the god.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Epidaurian council and Grecian elders
description: Local authorities who debate whether to give up their guardian divinity
to Rome.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Epidaurian priest
description: A priest with chaste hair bound by a white fillet who recognizes the
serpent manifestation as the god.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Muses
description: Guardian deities of poets invoked to relate the origin of the Tiber
island cult.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
roles:
- id: role:1
label: self-exiling patriot
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The explanation says Cippus preferred exile rather than enslaving his country.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: afflicted community
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Rome suffers a contagion and seeks aid when human remedies fail.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: petitioners for divine aid
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:5
basis: The Romans consult Delphi and send envoys to request the god from Epidaurus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: oracular deity
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Apollo's Delphian oracle gives the response directing the Romans to seek
his son.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: divine father
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The oracle identifies the needed god as Apollo's son.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: healing deity
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The god's presence is said to be able to end the mortality, and the fable
summary says the contagion ceases after his arrival.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:10
- id: role:7
label: dream epiphany figure
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The saving god appears to a Roman in sleep and speaks to him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: serpent-form deity
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The god says he will be changed into the serpent and then appears in serpent
form in the temple.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: custodians of local deity
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Many Epidaurians refuse to part with their own protector and guardian deity.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: recognizer of divine manifestation
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The priest recognizes the serpent as the god and proclaims it to the assembly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: invoked poetic authorities
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The narrator invokes the Muses as guardian deities of poets who know remote
antiquity.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: serpent
literal_form: A serpent entwined around the god's staff in the dream and later the
god's own glittering, crested, hissing form.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: rustic staff
literal_form: A rustic staff held in the god's left hand, around which a serpent
coils.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:3
label: Delphi as world center
literal_form: Delphi, described as occupying the centre spot of the world and housing
the oracle of Phoebus.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: temple and altars
literal_form: The god's temple, statue, altars, doors, pavement, roof, steps, and
ancient altars shaken or saluted during the manifestation and departure.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: sym:5
label: curving ship
literal_form: The ship by which Roman envoys reach the coasts of Epidaurus.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: strewn flowers
literal_form: Flowers covering the ground along which the serpent-form god glides
toward the harbor.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Cippus explanation
summary: A prose explanation suggests an earlier form of the Cippus story in which
a dream of horns, augural consultation, and patriotic exile preceded later marvels.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Plague and Delphic consultation
summary: Rome suffers a wasting contagion; when mortal remedies and physicians fail,
the Romans seek a health-giving response from Delphi.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Embassy to Epidaurus
summary: The Senate sends envoys by ship to Epidaurus to ask the local authorities
for the god whose presence can end Roman mortality; the Epidaurians debate the
request.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Dream epiphany and promised transformation
summary: The saving god appears beside a Roman's couch in sleep, points to the serpent
coiled around his staff, and says he will be transformed into that larger form.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Serpent manifestation in the temple
summary: After the nobles ask for a sign, the god appears as a golden, crested serpent,
hissing and shaking the temple; the priest recognizes and proclaims the deity.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:7
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Departure toward the harbor
summary: The serpent-form god gives a triple hiss, descends the steps, looks back
at his former temple and altars, and moves through the city over strewn flowers
toward the harbor.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:7
label: Arrival summary and cult establishment
summary: The fable summary says the god arrives at Rome, the contagion ceases, and
a temple is built in his honor.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: pestilence relieved by invited healing deity
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A Roman plague cannot be cured by human means; the oracle directs Romans
to bring Apollo's son, whose arrival is summarized as ending the contagion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives the healing outcome in the fable summary, while the
quoted narrative segment ends before the god reaches Rome.
- id: motif:2
label: oracle-directed embassy for divine aid
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Romans consult Delphi, receive a command to invite Apollo's son, and send
ambassadors to Epidaurus to request the deity.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: No broader comparative claim is implied beyond the passage-level pattern.
- id: motif:3
label: dream epiphany announcing divine transformation
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: The god appears in sleep, identifies the serpent on his staff, and says he
will be changed into that form.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The transformation is divine self-manifestation rather than a mortal metamorphosis.
- id: motif:4
label: serpent-form manifestation of a god
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
- shapeshifter
basis: The god appears as a golden, crested, hissing serpent, shakes the temple,
is recognized by the priest, and departs toward the harbor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage identifies the serpent specifically with Aesculapius, not
with an unnamed serpent being.
- id: motif:5
label: world-center oracle
taxonomy_refs:
- world_center
basis: Delphi is explicitly described as occupying the centre spot of the world
and functioning as Apollo's oracle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The world-center detail is a setting description rather than the main
plot action.
- id: motif:6
label: transfer of cult through divine consent
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Epidaurus debates giving up its guardian deity, but the god appears, consents
to go, leaves his old temple, and is later honored with a Roman temple.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents the transfer narratively; historical or ritual conclusions
would require evidence outside this passage.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 13291-13297
quote_or_summary: 'Prefatory explanation: Cippus may have dreamt of horns, consulted
augurs, and chosen exile rather than enslaving his country.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 13307-13320
quote_or_summary: A dire contagion infects Latian air; failed mortal and medical
remedies lead Romans to Delphi, described as the centre spot of the world and
oracle of Phoebus.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: quote
locator: 13320-13327
quote_or_summary: "“Thou hast no need of Apollo to diminish thy grief, but of the
son of Apollo. Go with a good omen, and invite my son.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short quotation from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 13328-13344
quote_or_summary: The Senate sends envoys by ship to Epidaurus; they ask for the
divinity whose presence can end Ausonian mortality, while the local elders are
divided over giving up their guardian deity.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 13344-13360
quote_or_summary: In sleep, the saving god appears by a Roman's couch, holding a
rustic staff, and tells him to observe the serpent around it because he will be
changed into that larger form.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 13361-13366
quote_or_summary: The next morning nobles gather in the god's temple and ask him
to show by celestial signs where he wishes to abide.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 13366-13374
quote_or_summary: The god appears as a gold-glittering serpent with erect crest,
hisses, shakes the statue, altars, doors, pavement, and roof, and stands erect
in the temple with fiery eyes.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 13374-13385
quote_or_summary: The priest, hair bound with a white fillet, recognizes the deity
and proclaims, 'The God! Behold the God!'; the people adore and repeat his words.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 13385-13376
quote_or_summary: The god gives a triple hissing token, glides down the steps, looks
back to his old altars and temple, then moves through the city over strewn flowers
toward the harbor.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 13299-13306
quote_or_summary: 'Fable summary: Rome consults Delphi during pestilence; Aesculapius
consents to go from Epidaurus; after his arrival at Rome the contagion ceases
and a temple is built in his honor.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 13307-13311
quote_or_summary: The narrator invokes the Muses, guardian deities of poets, to
relate how the Tiber island brought the son of Coronis into Romulus' city's rites.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary generated from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Some locator ranges are
approximate because the supplied excerpt gives only overall line boundaries and
includes prose summary plus verse translation. No comparison claims were added
because the passage itself does not support a specific cross-text comparison.
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: |-
One evidence locator for the final segment reflects the supplied passage ending at line 13376 despite the prose excerpt continuing through the departure toward the harbor; reviewer should verify exact line alignment in the repository text.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-8-15-riley-gutenberg__l13291-l13376
passage_sha256=92f803f812f8bd0a192c9bbc2ec7f233591f48191aff6c91eacb6954ff496693