batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l2926-l2974
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l2926-l2974
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
passage_locator:
label: SELENE (LUNA). / ARTEMIS (DIANA). / ARCADIAN ARTEMIS. / EPHESIAN ARTEMIS.;
lines 2926-2974
start: '2926'
end: '2974'
translation: Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage describes Ephesian Artemis as an ancient Asiatic/Persian divinity
called Metra, identified by Greek colonists with Artemis because of a shared association
with celestial light. It presents her as a twofold divinity of all-pervading love
and heavenly light, as present in the Realm of Shades, and as enabling departed
spirits to revisit the living. It also describes her great temple at Ephesus,
her cult statue with lions, turrets, and many breasts symbolizing fertility, and
the destruction of the temple by Herostratus, followed by an Ephesian ban on speaking
his name.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The Ephesian Artemis is identified in the passage as an ancient Asiatic divinity
of Persian origin called Metra.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Greek colonists in Asia Minor are said to have found Metra's worship already
established and to have identified her with Greek Artemis.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Metra is described as a twofold divinity, representing all-pervading love
in one phase and the light of heaven in another.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The passage states that Ephesian Artemis was believed to be present in the
Realm of Shades and to allow departed spirits to revisit the earth to communicate
with loved ones and warn them of evil.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: A magnificent temple to the divinity at Ephesus is described as one of the
seven wonders of the world, with many columns, statues, paintings, and great wealth
deposited there.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: The statue of the goddess in the temple is described as made of ebony, with
lions on her arms, turrets on her head, and many breasts indicating the fruitfulness
of the earth and nature.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Herostratus is said to have set fire to the temple in order to make his name
famous, destroying it in a single night.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: The Ephesians are said to have forbidden the mention of Herostratus's name,
but the passage notes that this helped preserve it.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Ephesian Artemis / Metra
description: An ancient Asiatic/Persian divinity identified by Greek colonists with
Artemis; described as a twofold divinity of all-pervading love and heavenly light,
with underworld and fertility associations.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Greek colonists in Asia Minor
description: Settlers who found Metra's worship already established and identified
her with their own Artemis.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Greek Artemis / Selene
description: The Greek female divinity associated with celestial light, used as
the point of identification with Metra.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Hecate
description: An older divinity whose place in the Realm of Shades is said to have
been replaced to some extent by Ephesian Artemis.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Persephone
description: Mistress of the lower world whose place is said to have been partly
usurped by Ephesian Artemis.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Spirits of the departed
description: Departed spirits whom Ephesian Artemis was believed to permit to revisit
the earth, communicate with loved ones, and give warnings.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Ctesiphon
description: The principal architect of the temple at Ephesus.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Herostratus
description: A man said to have burned the Ephesian temple in an attempt to make
his name famous.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Ephesians
description: The people who mourned the temple's destruction and enacted a law forbidding
Herostratus's name to be mentioned.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: ancient Asiatic/Persian divinity
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage calls Metra an ancient Asiatic divinity of Persian origin.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: twofold divinity
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage describes Metra as having phases of all-pervading love and heavenly
light.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: underworld-associated goddess
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage says she was present in the Realm of Shades and partly took roles
associated with Hecate and Persephone.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: fertility-associated goddess
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Her statue's many breasts are said to indicate the fruitfulness of the earth
and nature.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: syncretizing settlers
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: They identified Metra with Greek Artemis after settling in Asia Minor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: celestial-light counterpart
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Artemis as Selene is described as the Greek female divinity representing
celestial light, the point of resemblance with Metra.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: displaced underworld divinity
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: The passage says Ephesian Artemis replaced Hecate to an extent and partly
usurped Persephone's place as mistress of the lower world.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:8
label: returning departed spirits
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: They are permitted to revisit earth to communicate with loved ones and warn
of evil.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: principal architect
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Ctesiphon is named as the principal architect of the temple.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: temple destroyer
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Herostratus is said to have set fire to and destroyed the temple to gain
fame.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:11
label: mourning lawmakers
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The Ephesians are described as sorrowful and indignant, enacting a law forbidding
the incendiary's name.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: celestial light
literal_form: light of heaven / celestial light
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: Realm of Shades
literal_form: mysterious Realm of Shades
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: temple at Ephesus
literal_form: magnificent temple at Ephesus ranked among the seven wonders
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: lions on the goddess's arms
literal_form: lions on her arms
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: turrets on the goddess's head
literal_form: turrets on her head
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: many breasts
literal_form: a number of breasts indicating fruitfulness of the earth and nature
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: destructive fire
literal_form: fire set to the temple by Herostratus
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Identification of Metra with Artemis
summary: Greek colonists in Asia Minor encounter the established worship of Metra
and identify her with Greek Artemis because of a perceived resemblance involving
celestial light.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Ephesian Artemis in the Realm of Shades
summary: Ephesian Artemis is presented as present in the Realm of Shades, taking
over functions associated with Hecate and Persephone and allowing departed spirits
to revisit the living with messages and warnings.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Temple and cult image at Ephesus
summary: The passage describes the great temple at Ephesus, its wealth and columns,
and the goddess's ebony statue with lions, turrets, and many breasts symbolizing
fertility.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Destruction of the temple by Herostratus
summary: Herostratus burns and destroys the temple in a single night to gain lasting
fame; the Ephesians respond by banning mention of his name, which the passage
says preserved it.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Syncretic identification of a foreign goddess with a Greek goddess
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage states that Greek colonists found Metra's worship already established
and identified her with Artemis through a perceived point of resemblance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: This is a handbook account of religious identification; no independent
historical evidence is supplied in the passage.
- id: motif:2
label: Twofold goddess of love and heavenly light
taxonomy_refs:
- duality
basis: Metra is explicitly described as a twofold divinity whose phases are all-pervading
love and the light of heaven.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives a theological characterization rather than a narrative
episode.
- id: motif:3
label: Fertility and nature goddess
taxonomy_refs:
- mother_goddess
basis: The goddess is linked with the beneficent workings of nature, and her many-breasted
statue is said to indicate the fruitfulness of earth and nature.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not explicitly call her a mother; the taxonomy link rests
on fertility and nature imagery.
- id: motif:4
label: Departed spirits return to warn the living
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage says Ephesian Artemis permits spirits of the departed to revisit
earth, communicate with loved ones, and give timely warning of coming evil.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage summarizes a belief rather than narrating a specific apparition.
- id: motif:5
label: Fame-seeking destruction of a sacred building by fire
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Herostratus burns the temple in order to make his name famous; the Ephesians'
attempt to suppress his name fails.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: No available motif-family taxonomy item closely matches this localized
historical-anecdotal pattern.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage itself compares Metra/Ephesian Artemis with Greek Artemis as
Selene on the basis of shared celestial-light function.
claim_level: same_function
target: Greek Artemis in her character as Selene
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The comparison is internal to the passage and focuses on one shared
attribute, while the passage also says Metra otherwise had little in common with
the Greek home deity.
- id: claim:2
claim: The passage compares Ephesian Artemis with Hecate and Persephone by assigning
her functions in the Realm of Shades and the lower world.
claim_level: same_function
target: Hecate and Persephone as underworld-associated goddesses
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage states replacement and partial usurpation but gives no
detailed mythic episode showing how these functions operated.
- id: claim:3
claim: The passage supports a cautious historical-contact claim between Greek settlers
and a pre-existing Asiatic/Persian cult of Metra in Asia Minor.
claim_level: historical_contact
target: Greek colonists and the established worship of Metra in Asia Minor
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The claim is limited to what this handbook passage asserts; it does
not provide primary evidence or chronology beyond the settlement context.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 2926-2934
quote_or_summary: Ephesian Artemis is described as an ancient Asiatic divinity of
Persian origin called Metra, whose worship Greek colonists found in Asia Minor
and identified with Greek Artemis.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 2935-2943
quote_or_summary: Metra is described as a twofold divinity representing all-pervading
love and the light of heaven; Greek settlers connected her with Artemis as Selene
because of celestial light.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 2944-2954
quote_or_summary: As all-pervading love, Ephesian Artemis is said to be present
in the Realm of Shades, partly replacing Hecate and Persephone, and permitting
departed spirits to revisit earth with messages and warnings.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 2955-2963
quote_or_summary: The temple at Ephesus is described as magnificent, one of the
seven wonders, adorned with statues and paintings, containing 127 columns, and
holding enormous wealth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: lines 2964-2967
quote_or_summary: The temple statue was formed of ebony, with “lions on her arms
and turrets on her head,” and many breasts indicating the fruitfulness of earth
and nature.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 2967-2974
quote_or_summary: Ctesiphon is named as principal architect; after centuries of
work, Herostratus burned and destroyed the temple to gain fame, and the Ephesians
banned mention of his name, inadvertently preserving it.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Literal extraction is directly supported by the provided passage. Motif taxonomy
mappings are cautious, especially for fertility/mother-goddess and the fire-destruction
anecdote.
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 the supplied passage and metadata; no external comparisons or unsupported taxonomy IDs added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg__l2926-l2974
passage_sha256=ac8f712c5a0d85ccc2a24f8abf0fa50852072c9a8bd210c79e93a00ed21e789d