batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l7535-l7585
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l7535-l7585
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
passage_locator:
label: PERSEUS. / THE ARGONAUTS. / STORY OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. / PELOPS.; lines
7535-7585
start: '7535'
end: '7585'
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: Pelops, exiled from Phrygia, comes to Greece and seeks to marry Hippodamia,
daughter of Oenomaus. Because an oracle has warned Oenomaus that he will die on
the day of his daughter's marriage, he requires suitors to defeat him in a chariot
race and kills those he overtakes. Pelops prays to Poseidon, receives a chariot
with winged horses, wins when Poseidon disables Oenomaus's chariot, rescues Hippodamia
from a lightning-struck burning castle, marries her, and reigns in Pisa.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Pelops is described as the son of Tantalus and as a pious and virtuous prince.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: After Tantalus is banished into Tartarus, Pelops is defeated by the king of
Troy and leaves Phrygia for Greece.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: At the court of Oenomaus, Pelops sees Hippodamia and desires to marry her.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: An oracle has foretold that Oenomaus will die on the day of his daughter's
marriage.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:5
text: Oenomaus requires Hippodamia's suitors to defeat him in a chariot race and
kills unsuccessful competitors.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The race course runs from Pisa to the altar of Poseidon at Corinth.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:7
text: Oenomaus begins only after completing a sacrifice to Zeus, while the suitor
is allowed to start earlier.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:8
text: Oenomaus's chariot is guided by Myrtilus and drawn by the horses Phylla and
Harpinna.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:9
text: Pelops prays to Poseidon at the seashore before the race.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:10
text: Poseidon sends Pelops a chariot drawn by two winged horses from the deep.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:11
text: During the race, Poseidon causes the wheels of Oenomaus's chariot to come
off, and Oenomaus is killed.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: Pelops sees flames from the royal castle after it is struck by lightning and
rescues Hippodamia from the burning building.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Pelops and Hippodamia marry, and Pelops reigns in Pisa for many years.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Pelops
description: Son of Tantalus; a pious and virtuous prince who becomes a suitor of
Hippodamia, receives aid from Poseidon, rescues Hippodamia, marries her, and reigns
in Pisa.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Tantalus
description: Father of Pelops, described as cruel and banished into Tartarus.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Oenomaus
description: King of Elis and father of Hippodamia; imposes the chariot-race condition
on suitors and is killed during the race.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Hippodamia
description: Daughter of Oenomaus, loved by Pelops, rescued from a burning castle,
and later married to Pelops.
role_refs:
- role:8
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Poseidon
description: Sea-god who answers Pelops's prayer, sends him a chariot with winged
horses, and aids him during the race.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Zeus
description: Deity to whom Oenomaus performs a sacrifice before entering the race.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Myrtilus
description: Skilful guide of Oenomaus's chariot.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Phylla and Harpinna
description: Two famous horses of Oenomaus, said to surpass the winds in swiftness.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
roles:
- id: role:1
label: exiled prince
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Pelops is defeated and forced to leave Phrygia for Greece.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: bride-seeking suitor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Pelops announces himself as a suitor for Hippodamia despite the deadly contest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: divinely aided contestant
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Poseidon sends him a winged-horse chariot and intervenes in the race.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: rescuer and future ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Pelops rescues Hippodamia, marries her, and reigns in Pisa.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:5
label: banished father
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Tantalus is Pelops's father and is banished into Tartarus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: obstructing father-king
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Oenomaus blocks suitors because of the oracle concerning his daughter's marriage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:7
label: deadly race opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Oenomaus races suitors and kills those he overtakes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:8
label: king's daughter and intended bride
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Hippodamia is Oenomaus's daughter and the woman Pelops seeks to marry.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:9
label: rescued bride
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Pelops rescues Hippodamia from the burning royal castle before their marriage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: divine helper
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Poseidon answers Pelops's prayer, provides the chariot, and disables Oenomaus's
chariot.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:11
label: recipient of sacrifice
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Oenomaus performs a sacrifice to Zeus before mounting his chariot.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: role:12
label: charioteer
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Myrtilus guides Oenomaus's chariot.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:13
label: supernaturally swift team
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Phylla and Harpinna draw Oenomaus's chariot and are described as surpassing
the winds.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: oracle of death at marriage
literal_form: oracle foretelling Oenomaus's death on the day of Hippodamia's marriage
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: chariot race course
literal_form: race from Pisa to the altar of Poseidon at Corinth
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: altar of Poseidon
literal_form: goal of the race at Corinth
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: sea and deep
literal_form: seashore prayer and chariot sent out of the deep
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: winged-horse chariot
literal_form: chariot drawn by two winged horses sent by Poseidon
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:6
label: spear of Oenomaus
literal_form: spear carried by Oenomaus when overtaking competitors
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: fire and lightning at the royal castle
literal_form: flames from the royal castle after lightning strikes it
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Exile and arrival at Oenomaus's court
summary: After leaving Phrygia, Pelops comes to Greece, sees Hippodamia at Oenomaus's
court, and becomes her suitor despite the oracle affecting her father.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Deadly conditions of the chariot contest
summary: Oenomaus sets a race from Pisa to Poseidon's altar at Corinth; he sacrifices
to Zeus before beginning, then overtakes and kills unsuccessful suitors with his
spear.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Prayer to Poseidon and gift of the winged team
summary: Pelops prays at the seashore, and Poseidon sends a chariot drawn by two
winged horses from the deep.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Race and death of Oenomaus
summary: Oenomaus nearly overtakes Pelops, but Poseidon causes the king's chariot
wheels to fly off, killing Oenomaus as Pelops reaches the altar.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Rescue, marriage, and reign
summary: Pelops sees the royal castle burning after a lightning strike, flies there
with his winged horses, rescues Hippodamia, marries her, and reigns in Pisa.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: exiled hero's departure to a new land
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: Pelops is defeated, forced to leave Phrygia, and emigrates into Greece before
the central contest begins.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents the exile briefly and does not elaborate a full departure
cycle.
- id: motif:2
label: perilous bride-winning contest
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: Pelops must risk death in a chariot race in order to win Hippodamia, and
previous suitors have died under the same conditions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy has no exact bride-contest category; 'mystical_quest'
is an approximate fit because the task is perilous and exceptional.
- id: motif:3
label: divine aid in a heroic trial
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Poseidon answers Pelops's prayer, provides supernatural horses, and intervenes
at the decisive moment of the race.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: No more specific supplied taxonomy reference directly covers divine assistance
in contest.
- id: motif:4
label: marriage leading to rule
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: After Oenomaus dies and Pelops rescues and marries Hippodamia, Pelops reigns
in Pisa for many years.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage states the sequence of marriage and reign but does not explicitly
discuss legal succession or enthronement rites.
- id: motif:5
label: rescue of beloved from a burning royal house
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: Pelops returns with winged horses and rescues Hippodamia unharmed from the
burning royal castle before their union.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: low
cautions: Hippodamia is endangered, not described as stolen or abducted; the taxonomy
reference is only a loose beloved-in-peril fit.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 7535-7545
quote_or_summary: Pelops is the son of Tantalus; after Tantalus is banished and
Pelops is defeated, Pelops goes to Greece, sees Hippodamia, and learns that an
oracle foretold Oenomaus's death on the day of her marriage.
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 7546-7557
quote_or_summary: The race is from Pisa to Poseidon's altar at Corinth; the suitor
starts while Oenomaus sacrifices to Zeus, then Oenomaus races with Myrtilus guiding
and the horses Phylla and Harpinna drawing his chariot, killing overtaken competitors
with a spear.
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 7558-7561
quote_or_summary: On the eve of the race Pelops prays to Poseidon at the seashore,
and the sea-god sends him from the deep a chariot drawn by two winged horses.
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 7562-7565
quote_or_summary: Oenomaus recognizes Poseidon's horses but proceeds, relying on
his own supernatural team.
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 7566-7573
quote_or_summary: During the race Oenomaus nearly overtakes Pelops with spear in
hand; Poseidon causes the royal chariot wheels to fly off, and Oenomaus is thrown
out and killed as Pelops reaches Poseidon's altar.
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 7574-7581
quote_or_summary: Pelops sees flames from the royal castle after a lightning strike,
flies there with his winged horses, rescues Hippodamia unharmed, marries her,
and reigns in Pisa for many years.
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: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the supplied passage. Motif mapping
is partly approximate because the supplied taxonomy lacks exact labels for bride-winning
race, divine aid, or chariot contest.
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 this episode with another text, tradition, or motif family beyond the available taxonomy mapping.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg__l7535-l7585
passage_sha256=82296f58aff39b75e6332ab8f52f13d691ec61c7e2d998b0c295973e60868d40