batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l6633-l6734
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l6633-l6734
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
passage_locator:
label: VESTALIA. / PART II.--LEGENDS. / CADMUS. / PERSEUS.; lines 6633-6734
start: '6633'
end: '6734'
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 recounts the birth and early exploits of Perseus: Zeus visits
Danae despite Acrisius'' confinement of her, mother and child are cast into the
sea in a chest and saved, Perseus obtains magical equipment for the Medusa quest,
beheads Medusa, causes snakes to arise from her blood in Libya, turns Atlas into
a mountain with Medusa''s head, and reaches Ethiopia where Andromeda has been
chained as a sacrifice to a sea monster after divine punishment falls on the land.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Perseus is identified as the son of Zeus and Danae, daughter of Acrisius of
Argos.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: An oracle foretells that Danae's son will cause Acrisius' death, and Acrisius
confines Danae in a brass tower.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Zeus descends through the roof in the form of a shower of gold, and Danae
becomes his bride.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Acrisius discovers the child and commands Danae and Perseus to be placed in
a chest and thrown into the sea.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Zeus directs Poseidon to calm the waters, and the chest floats safely to Seriphus,
where Dictys finds it and brings its occupants to the palace.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Polydectes educates Perseus and encourages him toward a heroic deed; slaying
Medusa is chosen as the deed that will bring renown.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Perseus must obtain winged sandals, a magic wallet, and the helmet of Aides
from the Nymphs, whose location is known only to the Graeae.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Guided by Hermes and Pallas-Athene, Perseus reaches the Graeae, takes their
single eye and tooth, and restores them after receiving directions.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Perseus uses magical equipment, a sickle from Hermes, and guidance from Pallas-Athene
to behead Medusa while avoiding direct sight of the Gorgons.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Pegasus and Chrysaor spring from Medusa's headless trunk.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Drops of blood from Medusa's head fall on Libyan sands and produce many-coloured
snakes.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: After Atlas refuses Perseus hospitality, Perseus shows him Medusa's head and
Atlas is transformed into a stony mountain.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: In Ethiopia Perseus sees floods, ruin, and Andromeda chained to a rock near
the shore.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:14
text: Cassiopea's boast against the Nereides leads them to appeal to Poseidon, who
sends an inundation and a devouring sea monster.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: The oracle of Jupiter-Ammon says the country can be saved only by sacrificing
the king's daughter to the monster, and Andromeda is chained as prey.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Perseus
description: Legendary hero, son of Zeus and Danae; exposed in a chest at sea as
a child; later undertakes the Medusa quest.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Zeus
description: Divine father of Perseus; descends to Danae as a shower of gold and
later ensures the survival of Danae and Perseus.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Danae
description: Daughter of Acrisius, confined in a brass tower; bride of Zeus and
mother of Perseus; cast into the sea with her child.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Acrisius
description: King of Argos and father of Danae; imprisons her because of an oracle
and orders mother and child cast into the sea.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Poseidon
description: Sea-god directed by Zeus to calm the waters; later sends inundation
and a monster against Ethiopia after the Nereides appeal to him.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Dictys
description: Brother of Polydectes; finds the chest stranded on the beach and brings
Danae and Perseus to the palace.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Polydectes
description: King of Seriphus; later united to Danae and gives Perseus an education
befitting a hero.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Hermes
description: Celestial guide of Perseus and giver of the sickle used in the Medusa
quest.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Pallas-Athene
description: Celestial guide of Perseus who helps him in the beheading of Medusa.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Graeae
description: Daughters of Phorcys and Ceto who know the abode of the Nymphs and
possess a single eye and tooth.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Nymphs
description: Keepers of the winged sandals, magic wallet, and helmet of Aides.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Gorgons
description: Weird sisters whose direct gaze turns beholders into stone; two surviving
sisters pursue Perseus after Medusa's death.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Medusa
description: Gorgon slain by Perseus; her head retains power to transform others
into stone, and her blood produces snakes in Libya.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Pegasus
description: Winged steed that springs from Medusa's headless trunk.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Chrysaor
description: Figure who springs from Medusa's headless trunk and is named as father
of the winged giant Geryon.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:16
name_or_label: Atlas
description: King with an orchard of golden fruit guarded by a dragon; refuses Perseus
hospitality and is transformed into a mountain.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:17
name_or_label: Andromeda
description: Daughter of King Cepheus; chained to a rock by the shore as prey for
a sea monster.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:18
name_or_label: Cepheus
description: King of Ethiopia and father of Andromeda; gives up his child for the
welfare of his country after an oracle response.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:19
name_or_label: Cassiopea
description: Mother of Andromeda who boasts that her beauty surpasses that of the
Nereides.
role_refs:
- role:16
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:20
name_or_label: Nereides
description: Sea-nymphs angered by Cassiopea's boast who appeal to Poseidon to avenge
their wrongs.
role_refs:
- role:17
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:21
name_or_label: Sea monster
description: Huge monster brought by Poseidon's inundation, devouring all in its
way; Andromeda is offered as its prey.
role_refs:
- role:18
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:22
name_or_label: Oracle of Jupiter-Ammon
description: Oracle in the Libyan desert that declares the country can be saved
only by sacrificing the king's daughter to the monster.
role_refs:
- role:19
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: heroic quester
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Perseus is urged to achieve a heroic deed and undertakes the slaying of Medusa.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:2
label: divine father
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Zeus is named as Perseus' father and visits Danae in the brass tower.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: confined mother and divine bride
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Danae is imprisoned in a brass tower, becomes bride of Zeus, and bears Perseus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: divine protector or intervener
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:5
basis: Zeus wills that Danae and Perseus not perish and directs Poseidon to calm
the waters.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: threatened king and exposer
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Acrisius acts against Danae and Perseus because of the oracle and orders
them cast into the sea.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: rescuer on shore
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Dictys finds the stranded chest and helps its occupants.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: foster patron and instigator
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Polydectes educates Perseus and seeks to inspire him toward a heroic deed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:8
label: celestial guide and helper
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:9
basis: Hermes and Pallas-Athene guide Perseus, and Hermes provides the sickle while
Athene guides the beheading.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: sea-exposed survivors
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:3
basis: Danae and Perseus are placed in a chest and thrown into the sea, then brought
safely to Seriphus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:10
label: keepers of quest knowledge or objects
assigned_to:
- fig:10
- fig:11
basis: The Graeae know the route to the Nymphs, and the Nymphs keep the needed equipment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:11
label: divine punisher
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Poseidon devastates Ethiopia with inundation and a monster after the Nereides'
appeal.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:12
label: dangerous petrifying adversary
assigned_to:
- fig:12
- fig:13
basis: Those who look on the Gorgons are transformed into stone, and Medusa is the
target slain by Perseus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:13
label: inhospitable king transformed
assigned_to:
- fig:16
basis: Atlas refuses hospitality and is turned into a mountain by Medusa's head.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:14
label: sacrificial maiden
assigned_to:
- fig:17
basis: Andromeda is chained to a rock as prey to the monster to save country and
people.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:15
label: father-king under communal pressure
assigned_to:
- fig:18
basis: Cepheus initially refuses but yields his daughter after prayers and solicitations
of his subjects.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:16
label: boaster whose claim provokes punishment
assigned_to:
- fig:19
basis: Cassiopea boasts that her beauty surpasses the Nereides, leading to their
appeal to Poseidon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:17
label: offended divine or semi-divine group
assigned_to:
- fig:20
basis: The Nereides are angered by Cassiopea's boast and seek vengeance from Poseidon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:18
label: devouring monster
assigned_to:
- fig:21
basis: The monster devours all in its way and is to receive Andromeda as prey.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:19
label: oracular authority
assigned_to:
- fig:22
basis: The oracle gives the response prescribing the sacrifice of the king's daughter.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: brass tower
literal_form: tower of brass used to confine Danae
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: shower of gold
literal_form: Zeus' form when descending through the roof of the tower
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: sea chest
literal_form: chest containing Danae and Perseus, thrown into the sea and floated
to Seriphus
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: water
literal_form: sea, troubled waters, and later inundating floods
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:17
- fig:18
- fig:21
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: winged sandals
literal_form: sandals that allow Perseus to fly swiftly over land and sea
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: helmet of Aides
literal_form: helmet that renders the wearer invisible
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: magic wallet
literal_form: wallet used by Perseus to carry Medusa's head
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:11
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: single eye and tooth
literal_form: one eye and one tooth shared by the Graeae and taken by Perseus
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:9
label: reflective shield
literal_form: bright metal shield in which Perseus catches the triple image of the
Gorgons
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:12
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:10
label: severed Medusa head
literal_form: Medusa's head kept in Perseus' wallet and later used to transform
Atlas
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:13
- fig:16
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:11
label: serpents from blood
literal_form: many-coloured snakes produced from drops of Medusa's blood on Libyan
sands
associated_figures:
- fig:13
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:12
label: mountain
literal_form: Atlas' transformed stony body, with forests, rocks, and a craggy peak
associated_figures:
- fig:16
- fig:1
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:13
label: golden-fruited orchard and dragon
literal_form: orchard where every tree bears golden fruit, guarded by a dragon
associated_figures:
- fig:16
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:14
label: chained rock by the shore
literal_form: rock on the sea-shore to which Andromeda is chained as prey
associated_figures:
- fig:17
- fig:18
- fig:21
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:15
label: sea monster
literal_form: huge devouring monster accompanying Poseidon's inundation
associated_figures:
- fig:21
- fig:5
- fig:17
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Prophecy, confinement, and divine conception
summary: Acrisius hears that Danae's son will cause his death, confines her in a
brass tower, and Zeus reaches her in the form of a shower of gold.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Exposure in the sea chest and rescue at Seriphus
summary: Acrisius orders Danae and Perseus cast into the sea in a chest; Zeus and
Poseidon ensure the chest reaches Seriphus, where Dictys rescues them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Quest preparation through the Graeae and Nymphs
summary: Perseus is directed toward slaying Medusa and obtains knowledge and magical
equipment after taking and restoring the Graeae's eye and tooth.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Beheading of Medusa
summary: Perseus approaches the sleeping Gorgons with averted face, uses the shield
image and Athene's guidance, beheads Medusa, and flees the surviving sisters.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:14
- fig:15
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
- sym:9
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Snakes born from Medusa's blood
summary: As Perseus flies over Libya, blood from Medusa's head falls onto the sands
and produces snakes that spread through the country.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:10
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Atlas transformed into a mountain
summary: Atlas refuses Perseus hospitality out of fear for his golden orchard, and
Perseus uses Medusa's head to turn him into a mountain.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:13
- fig:16
symbol_refs:
- sym:10
- sym:12
- sym:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Andromeda chained for sacrifice
summary: Perseus reaches flooded Ethiopia and sees Andromeda chained to a rock;
the passage explains that Poseidon's punishment and an oracle have led to her
being offered to a monster.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:17
- fig:18
- fig:19
- fig:20
- fig:21
- fig:22
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:14
- sym:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine father and threatened child
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_parent_child
basis: Perseus is born from Zeus and Danae, while Acrisius acts against him because
an oracle foretells danger from Danae's son.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives a handbook summary rather than a full ritual or theological
explanation.
- id: motif:2
label: divine union in confinement
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_beloved
- sacred_birth
basis: Danae is shut in a brass tower, yet Zeus reaches her in the form of a shower
of gold and she becomes his bride, leading to Perseus' birth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The term 'sacred birth' is a taxonomy fit; the passage itself describes
the union and parentage without using that label.
- id: motif:3
label: exposed child and mother preserved in a sea vessel
taxonomy_refs:
- ark_vessel
- miraculous_child
basis: Danae and Perseus are placed in a chest and thrown into the sea, but divine
intervention allows them to float safely to Seriphus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The vessel is a chest rather than a ship or ark; the classification rests
on the survival-in-vessel pattern.
- id: motif:4
label: heroic departure for monster-slaying quest
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
- mystical_quest
- initiation
basis: Perseus leaves on an expedition to slay Medusa and must gain special equipment
and knowledge before confronting the Gorgons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The initiation aspect is inferred from quest structure, not explicitly
named in the passage.
- id: motif:5
label: magical aids and divine guides
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: Hermes and Pallas-Athene guide Perseus, and magical objects such as winged
sandals, wallet, and invisibility helmet enable his success.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: No broader comparison is asserted beyond the passage's quest equipment
pattern.
- id: motif:6
label: forced exchange for hidden knowledge
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
- wisdom
basis: Perseus deprives the Graeae of their eye and tooth and restores them only
after receiving directions to the Nymphs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is coercive; the taxonomy label is approximate and should
be reviewed.
- id: motif:7
label: petrifying gaze and severed head as weapon
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Gorgons' sight turns viewers to stone, and Perseus later uses Medusa's
severed head to transform Atlas.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly names petrification.
- id: motif:8
label: monstrous birth from slain body
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
basis: Pegasus and Chrysaor spring from Medusa's headless trunk after Perseus beheads
her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents emergence from a corpse, but not a return of Medusa
herself.
- id: motif:9
label: serpents generated from monster blood
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: Drops of Medusa's blood fall on Libyan sands and produce many-coloured snakes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: This is a local aetiological statement for snakes in Libya rather than
a full serpent myth by itself.
- id: motif:10
label: human transformed into landscape mountain
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
basis: Atlas is transformed into a stony mountain, with hair as forests and limbs
as rocks.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy contains 'mountain' as a symbol rather than a motif
family; review may decide whether to retain this reference.
- id: motif:11
label: divine punishment by flood and monster
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- flood_and_renewal
basis: After Cassiopea's boast, the Nereides appeal to Poseidon, who devastates
Ethiopia with inundation and a devouring monster.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage includes flood devastation, but renewal is not yet narrated
in this excerpt.
- id: motif:12
label: royal maiden sacrificed for the land
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- royal_legitimacy
basis: The oracle states that the country and people can be saved only by sacrificing
the king's daughter to the monster, and Cepheus yields Andromeda.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The sacrifice is prepared but not completed within this passage.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The exposure of Danae and Perseus in a chest that survives the sea fits the
supplied ark_vessel motif family at the level of a shared narrative pattern.
claim_level: same_motif
target: ark_vessel motif family
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage calls the container a chest and does not compare it with
other ark or vessel traditions.
- id: claim:2
claim: Andromeda's chaining as prey to a monster after an oracle prescribes the
king's daughter as the price for saving the land fits a sacrificial-maiden pattern
within the supplied sacrifice motif family.
claim_level: same_function
target: sacrifice motif family
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage stops before any rescue or completion of the sacrifice,
so only the threatened-sacrifice function is supported.
- id: claim:3
claim: Poseidon's inundation and monster sent after Cassiopea's boast support a
cautious comparison with divine-judgment patterns involving destructive waters.
claim_level: same_function
target: divine_judgment and flood_and_renewal motif families
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The excerpt includes punishment and flooding but not a completed renewal
sequence.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 6633-6644
quote_or_summary: Perseus is introduced as son of Zeus and Danae; an oracle warns
Acrisius about Danae's son, Acrisius confines her in a brass tower, and Zeus descends
as a shower of gold.
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 6645-6657
quote_or_summary: Acrisius hears the child, discovers Danae's union with Zeus, orders
mother and child placed in a chest and thrown into the sea; Zeus has Poseidon
calm the water and the chest reaches Seriphus, where Dictys rescues them.
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 6658-6666
quote_or_summary: Polydectes joins Danae, educates Perseus as a hero, and encourages
him toward a deed; the slaying of Medusa is chosen for greatest renown.
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 6667-6680
quote_or_summary: Perseus needs winged sandals, a magic wallet, and Aides' helmet
from the Nymphs; guided by Hermes and Pallas-Athene, he takes the Graeae's single
eye and tooth until they give directions.
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: summary
locator: lines 6681-6693
quote_or_summary: With helmet, wallet, Hermes' sickle, and winged sandals, Perseus
reaches the sleeping Gorgons; avoiding direct sight and using his shield image,
he cuts off Medusa's head, from whose trunk Pegasus and Chrysaor spring.
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:6
type: summary
locator: lines 6694-6699
quote_or_summary: The invisibility helmet and winged sandals help Perseus escape
the Gorgons; while he flies over Libya, blood from Medusa's head falls onto the
sands and produces many-coloured snakes.
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:7
type: summary
locator: lines 6700-6712
quote_or_summary: Atlas refuses Perseus hospitality because of fear for his golden-fruited
orchard and its dragon; Perseus shows Medusa's head and transforms Atlas into
a mountain.
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:8
type: summary
locator: lines 6713-6727
quote_or_summary: Perseus arrives in Ethiopia, sees flood devastation and Andromeda
chained to a rock; Cassiopea's boast against the Nereides led them to ask Poseidon
for vengeance, and he sent inundation and a devouring monster.
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:9
type: summary
locator: lines 6728-6734
quote_or_summary: The oracle of Jupiter-Ammon says the country and people can be
saved only by sacrificing the king's daughter to the monster; Cepheus yields and
Andromeda is chained as prey.
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: Extraction uses only the supplied passage. Literal narrative details are
clear; some taxonomy assignments, especially sacred_exchange, death_rebirth, flood_and_renewal,
and royal_legitimacy, are approximate and require review.
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: |-
All figures, roles, symbols, scenes, motifs, and comparison claims cite passage evidence. No external variants of the Perseus myth are used.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg__l6633-l6734
passage_sha256=514969f54d93fa3096c15597dd1a865732d443544ae12d0c4fd469b15aed00ee