batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l7240-l7332
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l7240-l7332
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
passage_locator:
label: CADMUS. / PERSEUS. / THE ARGONAUTS. / STORY OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE.; lines
7240-7332
start: '7240'
end: '7332'
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: Aetes sets Jason the task of yoking fire-breathing oxen, ploughing Ares'
field, sowing dragon's teeth, and destroying the armed men that arise. Medea gives
Jason protective magic and instructions. Jason completes the task, but Aetes refuses
the Fleece and plots against the Argonauts. Medea warns the heroes, leads Jason
to the sacred grove, puts the sleepless dragon to sleep, and Jason takes the Golden
Fleece from an oak tree before departing on the Argo.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Aetes requires Jason to yoke brazen-footed, fire-breathing oxen, plough Ares'
stony field, sow dragon's teeth, and destroy the armed men that arise from them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The oxen are described as brazen-footed and fire-breathing, and as made for
Aetes by Hephaestus.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Argus advises that Jason can succeed only by obtaining Medea's assistance.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Medea is described as a priestess of Hecate and a great enchantress.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Medea gives Jason a magic salve that grants one-day invulnerability to fire
and steel and invincibility against adversaries.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Medea instructs Jason to throw a huge rock among the armed men so that they
will fight each other.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Jason promises Medea that he will not return to Greece without taking her
with him as his wife.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: The oxen rush from a subterranean cave breathing fire and surrounded by smoke.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Jason yokes the oxen, ploughs the field, sows the dragon's teeth, and drives
the oxen back to their subterranean stables.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Armed men spring up from the furrows, attack one another after Jason throws
the rock, and are then killed by Jason.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Aetes refuses to give Jason the Fleece and plans to destroy the Argonauts
and burn their vessel.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Medea boards the Argo at night, warns the heroes, and leads Jason to the sacred
grove.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: The Golden Fleece hangs from the topmost boughs of a tall oak-tree in the
sacred grove.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:14
text: A dreadful sleepless dragon watches at the foot of the oak-tree and moves
toward Jason and Medea with open jaws.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:15
text: Medea uses a potion to send the dragon into a deep sleep, after which Jason
climbs the tree and secures the Fleece.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Jason
description: Hero who undertakes Aetes' task, uses Medea's aid, defeats the earth-born
warriors, and secures the Golden Fleece.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:10
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Aetes
description: King who sets Jason the trial, refuses the earned Fleece, and plots
against the Argonauts.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Medea
description: Princess, priestess of Hecate, and enchantress who loves Jason, gives
him magic aid, warns the Argonauts, and puts the dragon to sleep.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Argus
description: Son of Chalciope who explains the difficulty of the task and advises
Jason to seek Medea's help.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Telamon and Augeas
description: Jason's two friends who accompany him when he returns to the vessel
for consultation.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Brazen-footed, fire-breathing oxen
description: Hephaestus-made oxen belonging to Aetes; Jason must yoke them to a
plough.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Earth-born armed men
description: Armed men who arise from the sown dragon's teeth in the furrows and
are destroyed.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Sleepless dragon
description: Dreadful dragon guarding the Golden Fleece at the foot of the oak-tree
in the sacred grove.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Argonauts
description: Heroes aboard the Argo whom Medea warns of Aetes' plan to destroy them.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: questing hero
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Jason undertakes the perilous tasks and obtains the Golden Fleece.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:10
- id: role:2
label: hostile task-setter
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Aetes sets the dangerous trial and later plots against Jason's company.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: role:3
label: magical helper
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Medea gives Jason a magic salve, strategic instructions, warning, guidance,
and a potion against the dragon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: role:4
label: beloved and promised wife
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The passage states mutual attachment, and Jason promises to take Medea with
him as wife.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: counsellor
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Argus explains the task and proposes Medea's aid as the means of success.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: companions
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Telamon and Augeas accompany Jason to consult about the task.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: recipient of magical protection
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Jason receives and uses Medea's salve and instructions before the trial.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: monstrous draught animals
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The oxen breathe fire, emerge from underground, and must be yoked to plough
the field.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: generated adversaries
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The armed men arise from the sown dragon's teeth and must be destroyed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: treasure guardian
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The sleepless dragon watches at the foot of the oak-tree where the Golden
Fleece hangs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: threatened crew
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Aetes plans to destroy the Argonauts and burn their vessel; Medea warns them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: fire-breathing oxen
literal_form: Brazen-footed oxen breathing flames of fire and smoke
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: sym:2
label: subterranean cave or stables
literal_form: Underground place from which the oxen emerge and to which they return
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:3
label: dragon's teeth
literal_form: Poisonous teeth of a dragon sown into furrows
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: huge rock
literal_form: Immense rock thrown among the earth-born warriors
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: magic salve
literal_form: Protective salve given by Medea for anointing spear and shield
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:6
label: sacred grove
literal_form: Grove containing the oak-tree and the Golden Fleece
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:7
label: oak-tree
literal_form: Tall oak-tree from whose topmost boughs the Golden Fleece hangs
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:8
label: Golden Fleece
literal_form: Beautiful Fleece hanging from the oak-tree and secured by Jason
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:9
label: sleepless dragon
literal_form: Dreadful dragon keeping watch at the foot of the oak-tree
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:10
label: sleep potion
literal_form: Potion drops cast by Medea that put the dragon into deep sleep
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:11
label: Argo
literal_form: Vessel of the Argonauts that departs after the Fleece is secured
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Aetes assigns the trial
summary: Aetes tells Jason to yoke fire-breathing oxen, plough Ares' field, sow
dragon's teeth, and destroy the armed men that arise.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Consultation and Medea's aid
summary: Argus recommends seeking Medea's assistance; Medea meets Jason, gives him
magic salve, explains the rock stratagem, and receives Jason's promise of marriage.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Ploughing Ares' field
summary: Jason faces the fire-breathing oxen from the subterranean cave, yokes them,
ploughs the field, and sows the dragon's teeth.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Earth-born warriors destroyed
summary: Armed men arise from the furrows; Jason throws a rock among them, they
fight each other, and Jason kills the survivors.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Aetes' treachery and Medea's warning
summary: Aetes refuses the Fleece and plans to destroy the Argonauts; Medea warns
the heroes at night and leads Jason toward the sacred grove.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: The Fleece taken from the guarded oak
summary: In the sacred grove, the Golden Fleece hangs from an oak-tree guarded by
a sleepless dragon; Medea puts the dragon to sleep, and Jason climbs the tree
and secures the Fleece.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
- sym:8
- sym:9
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Perilous quest for a guarded treasure
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: Jason must complete superhuman trials and then obtain the Golden Fleece from
a sacred grove guarded by a sleepless dragon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy label is broad; the passage presents an adventure quest rather
than an explicitly mystical initiation.
- id: motif:2
label: Impossible tasks overcome through magical helper
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
basis: Jason faces lethal tasks set by Aetes and succeeds through Medea's magic
salve, instructions, and potion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not explicitly call the tasks an initiation; the motif
assignment is functional.
- id: motif:3
label: Dragon or serpent guardian of treasure
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: A sleepless dragon keeps watch at the foot of the tree where the Golden Fleece
hangs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The creature is called a dragon, not explicitly a serpent, though the
available taxonomy groups this under serpent.
- id: motif:4
label: Sown dragon teeth produce armed adversaries
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: Jason sows dragon's teeth in furrows, and armed men arise from them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy reference captures the draconic source of the teeth but not
the full earth-born warrior episode.
- id: motif:5
label: Taking a sacred or guarded object after refusal by ruler
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_theft
basis: After Aetes refuses to give the earned Fleece, Medea and Jason go at night
to the sacred grove, neutralize the guardian, and take the Golden Fleece.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames Jason as having earned the Fleece; the taking is clandestine
but not simply theft within the narrative's moral framing.
- id: motif:6
label: Treasure suspended in sacred tree
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_tree_axis
basis: The Golden Fleece hangs from the topmost boughs of a tall oak-tree in a sacred
grove.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: low
cautions: The passage contains a sacred tree setting but does not state a world-axis
or cosmic-tree function.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 7240-7246
quote_or_summary: Aetes' task requires Jason to yoke fire-breathing oxen, plough
Ares' field, sow poisonous dragon's teeth, and destroy the armed men that arise.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 7252-7262
quote_or_summary: Jason consults with Telamon, Augeas, and Argus; Argus says success
requires Medea, priestess of Hecate and enchantress.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 7264-7276
quote_or_summary: Medea and Jason confess mutual attachment; she gives him protective
magic salve and tells him to make the armed men fight over a rock; Jason promises
to take her as wife.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 7278-7286
quote_or_summary: Aetes and his court watch; Jason enters Ares' field; the oxen
rush from a subterranean cave breathing fire and smoke.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 7288-7294
quote_or_summary: Relying on Medea's magic, Jason seizes and yokes the oxen, ploughs
the stony ground, and sows a helmet full of dragon's teeth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 7296-7304
quote_or_summary: Armed men spring from the furrows; Jason throws a rock among them,
they attack one another, and he kills them all.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 7306-7310
quote_or_summary: Aetes refuses to give Jason the Fleece and decides to destroy
the Argonauts and burn their vessel.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 7312-7319
quote_or_summary: Medea learns of Aetes' plan, boards the Argo at night, warns the
heroes, and leads Jason to the sacred grove.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 7319-7325
quote_or_summary: In the grove, the Golden Fleece hangs from a tall oak-tree; a
dreadful sleepless dragon watches at the foot of the tree.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 7327-7332
quote_or_summary: Medea casts potion drops on the dragon, causing deep sleep; Jason
climbs the tree, secures the Fleece, and they depart on the Argo.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels
are limited to the provided taxonomy and are broad in places. No comparison claims
were added because the passage does not itself support comparison with another
named text or tradition.
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; quotations avoided in favor of concise summaries.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg__l7240-l7332
passage_sha256=ea8b1bb3d240e80a372ba345f43432f10fc13f19ce8cd5eebc03d97fe1aea303