batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l6904-l6953
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l6904-l6953
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
passage_locator:
label: PART II.--LEGENDS. / CADMUS. / PERSEUS. / THE ARGONAUTS.; lines 6904-6953
start: '6904'
end: '6953'
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 introduces Jason’s background: Aeson’s kingdom is usurped
by Pelias, Jason is raised and trained by Chiron, and as a young man he journeys
to Iolcus to claim his inheritance. On the way he carries an old woman across
a dangerous river; she reveals herself as Hera and promises protection. Jason
loses one sandal in the crossing. Pelias recognizes the one-sandaled stranger
as the subject of an oracle and agrees to surrender the kingdom only if Jason
retrieves Phryxus’s remains and the Golden Fleece from Colchis.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Aeson is described as king of Iolcus and as having been forced to flee after
his younger brother Pelias usurped his dominions.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Jason, Aeson’s young son, is entrusted to the Centaur Chiron and trained with
other noble youths.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Jason remains for ten years in Chiron’s cave and is instructed in useful and
warlike arts.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: As he approaches manhood, Jason leaves Chiron and sets out for Iolcus to demand
the kingdom from Pelias.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: On his journey, Jason encounters a broad, foaming river and an old woman who
asks for help crossing it.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Jason carries the old woman across the fierce river with difficulty.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: After reaching the opposite bank, the old woman transforms into Hera, who
says she will guide and protect Jason.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Jason discovers that he lost one sandal while crossing the river.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: At Iolcus, Pelias is offering a public sacrifice to Poseidon when he sees
Jason.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Pelias recalls an oracle predicting the loss of his kingdom by a man wearing
only one sandal.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Jason demands the throne and kingdom that he regards as his by right.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Pelias agrees to Jason’s demand only on the condition that Jason undertake
an expedition for him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Pelias says the shade of Phryxus appeared in his dreams and asked him to bring
back Phryxus’s mortal remains and the Golden Fleece from Colchis.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: Pelias promises that throne, kingdom, and sceptre will be Jason’s if he obtains
the requested relics.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Aeson
description: King of Iolcus, father of Jason, displaced by Pelias.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Pelias
description: Aeson’s younger brother who usurps the dominions of Iolcus and later
sets Jason the task of retrieving Phryxus’s remains and the Golden Fleece.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Jason
description: Young son of Aeson, raised by Chiron, aided by Hera, and claimant to
the throne of Iolcus.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Chiron
description: Centaur who cares for and trains Jason in his cave.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Hera
description: Goddess who appears first as an old woman by the river, reveals herself
after Jason helps her, and promises to guide and protect him.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Poseidon
description: God to whom Pelias is offering a public sacrifice at Iolcus.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Phryxus
description: A shade said by Pelias to have appeared in dreams requesting the return
of his mortal remains and the Golden Fleece from Colchis.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: dispossessed king
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Aeson is king of Iolcus but is forced to flee after Pelias usurps his dominions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: usurping ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Pelias is described as Aeson’s younger brother who has usurped the dominions
of Iolcus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: rightful heir claimant
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Jason travels to Iolcus and demands the throne and kingdom as his by right.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: questing hero
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Pelias requires Jason to undertake an expedition to Colchis for the Golden
Fleece and Phryxus’s remains.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: mentor and trainer
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Chiron cares for Jason and instructs him in useful and warlike arts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: divine helper and protected hero
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:3
basis: Hera reveals herself after Jason helps her and promises to guide and protect
him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: task-setter
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Pelias consents to return the kingdom only if Jason undertakes the expedition
he names.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: dreaming shade requesting return
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Pelias reports that Phryxus’s shade appeared in dreams and asked for his
remains and the Golden Fleece to be brought back.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: cave of Chiron
literal_form: cave
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: foaming river crossing
literal_form: broad and foaming river
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:3
label: one sandal
literal_form: one lost sandal / one unshod foot
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: Golden Fleece
literal_form: Golden Fleece
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: throne, kingdom, and sceptre
literal_form: throne, kingdom, and sceptre
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: public sacrifice to Poseidon
literal_form: public sacrifice
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Jason hidden and trained by Chiron
summary: After Pelias usurps Iolcus, Aeson saves Jason and entrusts him to Chiron,
who trains him for ten years in a cave.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Departure to reclaim inheritance
summary: Jason leaves Chiron and travels toward Iolcus to demand the kingdom from
Pelias.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: River crossing and divine revelation
summary: Jason carries an old woman across a dangerous river; she reveals herself
as Hera, promises protection, and Jason discovers he has lost one sandal.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Pelias recognizes the one-sandaled stranger
summary: Pelias, while sacrificing to Poseidon, notices Jason’s unshod foot and
recalls an oracle about losing his kingdom to a man with one sandal.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: The quest condition is imposed
summary: Jason demands the throne; Pelias agrees only if Jason retrieves Phryxus’s
remains and the Golden Fleece from Colchis.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: dispossessed heir departs to reclaim kingdom
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Jason, son of the displaced king Aeson, leaves Chiron and goes to Iolcus
to demand the throne from the usurper Pelias.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents the departure and claim but not the later resolution
of the royal dispute.
- id: motif:2
label: hero trained in youth by non-parental mentor
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
basis: Jason is entrusted to Chiron and spends ten years in the Centaur’s cave learning
useful and warlike arts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage describes education and training, but does not explicitly
mark a formal rite of initiation.
- id: motif:3
label: divine helper tests or is aided in disguised form
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Jason helps an old woman across a dangerous river; she reveals herself as
Hera and promises future guidance and protection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not state that Hera’s disguise was a deliberate test;
it only shows help given and divine favor returned.
- id: motif:4
label: prophetic identifying sign marks threat to ruler
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Pelias recognizes Jason’s one unshod foot as matching an oracle predicting
loss of the kingdom by a man wearing one sandal.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: No separate taxonomy reference for prophecy or identifying token is supplied.
- id: motif:5
label: impossible or dangerous quest imposed as condition for kingship
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Pelias promises Jason the throne, kingdom, and sceptre if Jason obtains Phryxus’s
remains and the Golden Fleece from Colchis.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage introduces the expedition but does not narrate its execution.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 6906-6915
quote_or_summary: Aeson is forced to flee after Pelias usurps Iolcus; Jason is saved,
entrusted to Chiron, and trained for ten years in the Centaur’s cave.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 6915-6921
quote_or_summary: Jason desires to regain his paternal inheritance, leaves Chiron,
and sets out for Iolcus to demand the kingdom from Pelias.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 6922-6930
quote_or_summary: Jason reaches a broad, foaming river, sees an old woman asking
for help, and carries her across despite the fierce torrent.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 6930-6938
quote_or_summary: The old woman transforms into Hera, promises to guide and protect
Jason, disappears, and Jason notices he has lost one sandal.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 6939-6947
quote_or_summary: At Iolcus, Pelias sacrifices to Poseidon, sees Jason’s unshod
foot, and recalls an oracle foretelling loss of his kingdom by a man wearing one
sandal.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 6947-6951
quote_or_summary: Pelias entertains Jason, then Jason demands the throne; Pelias
consents only if Jason undertakes an expedition for him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 6951-6953
quote_or_summary: Pelias says Phryxus’s shade appeared in dreams requesting the
return of his remains and the Golden Fleece from Colchis, promising Jason throne,
kingdom, and sceptre if he succeeds.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is based directly on the supplied passage. Motif labels are candidate
analytical groupings using only the available taxonomy references. No comparison
claims are made because the passage itself does not support a comparative assertion.
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 external sources or unsupported taxonomy identifiers were used.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg__l6904-l6953
passage_sha256=316f919380cbd26bc22e3a631808f17cf61196c31e0478e118113f2c4fe3c482