batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l7432-l7522
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l7432-l7522
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
7432-7522
start: '7432'
end: '7522'
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 Argonauts follow a gigantic hippocamp through the Libyan desert by
carrying the Argo until they reach the sea, give sacrifices, and resume their
voyage. At Crete they encounter Talus, a brass giant with one vulnerable ankle,
whom Medea kills by magic. They return to Iolcus, where the Argo is consecrated
to Poseidon and later placed among the stars. Jason brings Medea and the Golden
Fleece to Pelias, who refuses to yield the throne. Medea deceives Pelias' daughters
with a cauldron-rejuvenation demonstration and causes Pelias' death. Jason and
Medea flee to Corinth and have children; later Jason seeks to marry Glauce. Medea
hides her anger and sends Glauce a poisoned golden robe, which kills her.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A gigantic hippocamp approaches the Argo, and the crew decide to carry the
ship on their shoulders and follow the sea-horse.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: After twelve days of desert travel and suffering, the Argonauts see the sea,
offer sacrifices to the gods, and launch the ship again.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: At Crete, Talus guards the island against intruders; he is made of brass and
is invulnerable except at his right ankle, where he has a sinew of flesh and a
vein of blood.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Talus throws huge rocks at the Argo, forcing the crew to retreat until Medea
offers to destroy him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Medea invokes the Fates and utters an incantation that puts Talus to sleep;
his ankle is cut on a rock, blood flows out, and he dies.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The Argonauts return to Iolcus; the Argo is consecrated to Poseidon, preserved
for generations, and later placed in the heavens as a constellation.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Jason arrives with Medea and the Golden Fleece, but Pelias refuses to fulfil
the compact and will not abdicate the throne.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Medea gains the confidence of Pelias' daughters, demonstrates apparent rejuvenation
by boiling an old ram in a cauldron and producing a young lamb, and Pelias dies
at the hands of his daughters.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Jason and Medea flee to Corinth and have three children; later Jason becomes
attached to Glauce and arranges to marry her with Creon's consent.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Medea feigns acceptance of Jason's planned marriage and sends Glauce a poisoned
cloth-of-gold robe, which adheres to Glauce and kills her after severe suffering.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: gigantic hippocamp / sea-horse
description: A gigantic hippocamp seen approaching the Argo and then followed by
the crew through the desert.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Jason
description: Leader returning with Medea and the Golden Fleece; later husband of
Medea who seeks marriage with Glauce.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Argonauts / crew / heroes
description: The companions of Jason who carry the Argo, suffer through the desert,
land after Talus' death, and return to Iolcus.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Medea
description: Jason's bride; she kills Talus by incantation, avenges Jason against
Pelias, and later sends a poisoned robe to Glauce.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Talus
description: A brass giant, last of the Brazen race, guarding Crete and vulnerable
only in his right ankle.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Pelias
description: Jason's uncle and old king of Iolcus, who refuses to abdicate and later
dies through Medea's plot involving his daughters.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: daughters of Pelias
description: Pelias' daughters, whose confidence Medea gains and who become the
immediate agents of their father's death.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Glauce
description: Beautiful daughter of Creon and Jason's intended bride, killed by Medea's
poisoned wedding gift.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Creon
description: King of Corinth and father of Glauce, who consents to Jason's proposed
union with her.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: the Fates
description: Powers invoked by Medea before she utters the incantation against Talus.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Poseidon
description: Deity to whom the Argo is consecrated after the Argonauts return to
Iolcus.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
roles:
- id: role:1
label: guiding creature
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Argonauts decide to follow the hippocamp wherever it leads them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: returning quest leader and faithless husband
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Jason reports the prophetess' instructions, returns with the Fleece, and
later seeks marriage with Glauce while married to Medea.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:3
label: questing crew
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The Argonauts carry the Argo, endure the desert, face Talus, and return to
Iolcus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: sorceress and avenger
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Medea uses incantations against Talus, tricks Pelias' daughters, and sends
the poisoned robe to Glauce.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: island guardian and monstrous opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Talus guards Crete against intruders and attacks the Argo with rocks.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: oath-breaking king and victim
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Pelias refuses to fulfil his compact with Jason and later dies through Medea's
deception of his daughters.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: deceived family agents
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Pelias' daughters believe Medea's claim about rejuvenation and Pelias dies
by their hands.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: rival bride and poisoned victim
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Glauce is Jason's intended bride and dies after putting on the poisoned robe
sent by Medea.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: royal father granting marriage consent
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Creon gives consent to Jason's union with Glauce.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: invoked powers in magic rite
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Medea invokes the Fates before the incantation against Talus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:11
label: recipient deity of consecration
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The Argo is consecrated to Poseidon after reaching Iolcus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Argo as carried and consecrated vessel
literal_form: The Argo, carried through the desert, relaunched into the sea, consecrated
to Poseidon, and later placed in the heavens.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: sym:2
label: hippocamp guide
literal_form: A gigantic hippocamp or sea-horse leading the Argonauts toward the
sea.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: sea and deep ocean
literal_form: The sea reached after desert travel and the deep waters into which
the Argo is launched.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:4
label: single vulnerable ankle
literal_form: Talus' right ankle, with a sinew of flesh and vein of blood, the only
vulnerable place in his brass body.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: cauldron of apparent rejuvenation
literal_form: A cauldron in which Medea boils an old ram, after which a young lamb
comes forth.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: poisoned wedding robe
literal_form: A magnificent cloth-of-gold robe imbued with deadly poison that burns
Glauce's body as though with consuming fire.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: Golden Fleece
literal_form: The Golden Fleece brought by Jason to Iolcus as the object for which
the expedition had been undertaken.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:8
label: Argo as constellation
literal_form: The preserved Argo eventually placed in the heavens as a brilliant
constellation.
associated_figures:
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Desert portage led by the hippocamp
summary: After Jason reports his interview with the Libyan prophetess, the Argonauts
carry the Argo through the desert for twelve days, follow the sea-horse, reach
the sea, sacrifice to the gods, and relaunch the ship.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Defeat of Talus at Crete
summary: Talus prevents the Argonauts from landing at Crete, but Medea uses an incantation
to put him asleep; his vulnerable ankle is wounded, he bleeds, dies, and the heroes
provision the ship.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Return to Iolcus and consecration of the Argo
summary: The Argonauts reach Iolcus safely after storm and darkness; their adventures
are admired, and the Argo is consecrated to Poseidon and later placed among the
stars.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Pelias' refusal and Medea's cauldron deception
summary: Jason returns with Medea and the Golden Fleece, but Pelias refuses to yield
the throne; Medea deceives Pelias' daughters with a rejuvenation demonstration
and causes Pelias' death.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Jason's betrayal and Glauce's poisoned robe
summary: In Corinth, Jason seeks to marry Glauce; Medea feigns acceptance and sends
Glauce a poisoned golden robe that cannot be removed and kills her.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: guided quest-return after ordeal
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
- return
basis: The Argonauts follow a supernatural sea-horse, carry the Argo through a desert
ordeal, reach the sea, and eventually return to Iolcus with the Golden Fleece.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage is from the homeward phase of the Argonaut story, not the
initial departure or full quest narrative.
- id: motif:2
label: threshold guardian defeated by magic through one weak point
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Talus blocks access to Crete, has only one vulnerable ankle, and is destroyed
when Medea's magic causes the ankle to be wounded.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy family exactly names the single-vulnerable-point
or guardian motif.
- id: motif:3
label: sacrifice of gratitude after deliverance
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: After surviving the desert and reaching the sea, the Argonauts offer sacrifices
to the gods in gratitude for being saved from dangers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: ''
- id: motif:4
label: cauldron rejuvenation and deceptive death-rebirth
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
basis: Medea cuts up an old ram, boils it in a cauldron, and produces a young lamb,
then uses the demonstration to persuade Pelias' daughters to kill him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents the ram-to-lamb event as proof of Medea's magic,
but the attempted application to Pelias results in death rather than rebirth.
- id: motif:5
label: poisoned bridal gift used as revenge
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Medea, angered by Jason's intended marriage to Glauce, sends the rival bride
a beautiful poisoned robe that kills her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference precisely matches the poisoned-garment
revenge pattern.
- id: motif:6
label: heroic vessel consecrated and placed among the stars
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: After the return to Iolcus, the Argo is consecrated to Poseidon, preserved
for generations, and finally placed in the heavens as a constellation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy does not include a specific catasterism or constellation
motif family.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 7432-7441
quote_or_summary: A gigantic hippocamp approaches; Jason reports the Libyan prophetess'
words; the Argonauts carry the Argo, follow the sea-horse through the desert for
twelve days, reach the sea, sacrifice to the gods, and launch the ship again.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; neutral summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 7443-7458
quote_or_summary: At Crete, Talus, a brass giant and last of the Brazen race, guards
the island; he is invulnerable except at the right ankle and hurls rocks at the
Argo until Medea offers to destroy him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; neutral summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 7460-7471
quote_or_summary: Medea, wearing a purple mantle, invokes the Fates and speaks an
incantation; Talus sleeps, wounds his vulnerable ankle on a rock, bleeds heavily,
fails to rise, dies, and the heroes provision the vessel.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; neutral summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 7473-7480
quote_or_summary: After storm and darkness, the Argonauts reach Iolcus; their adventures
are admired; the Argo is consecrated to Poseidon, preserved for generations, and
later placed in heaven as a constellation.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; neutral summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 7482-7487
quote_or_summary: Jason arrives at Iolcus with Medea and the Golden Fleece, but
Pelias refuses to fulfil his compact and declines to abdicate the throne.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; neutral summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 7490-7503
quote_or_summary: Medea befriends Pelias' daughters, claims the art of restoring
youth, demonstrates with an old ram boiled in a cauldron from which a young lamb
appears, and Pelias dies at the hands of his children.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; neutral summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 7505-7513
quote_or_summary: Medea and Jason flee to Corinth and have three children; Jason
later becomes attracted to Glauce, daughter of Creon, and obtains Creon's consent
for marriage.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; neutral summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 7514-7522
quote_or_summary: Jason attempts to persuade Medea to accept his union with Glauce;
Medea conceals her anger and sends Glauce a poisoned cloth-of-gold robe, which
burns the wearer and causes Glauce's death.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
rights_note: Public domain source; neutral summary generated from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif taxonomy assignments
are limited to available references and remain draft candidates; no explicit cross-text
comparison is made.
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 comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly compare these events with another text, tradition, or named motif family.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg__l7432-l7522
passage_sha256=f75db6bbb8e4783dd76fe63f833684ab8f0102748b6c80f498f6f222b81d98c8