Comparative mythology corpus

batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l8076-l8168

batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l8076-l8168

---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l8076-l8168
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
passage_locator:
  label: THE ARGONAUTS. / STORY OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. / PELOPS. / HERACLES (HERCULES).;
    lines 8076-8168
  start: '8076'
  end: '8168'
  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 Heracles obtaining the golden apples through Atlas
    and returning them to sacred custody, then completing the final labour by descending
    to the underworld, encountering shades and captives, confronting Aides, capturing
    Cerberus, and returning the hell-hound. It then begins a later episode involving
    Megara, Iole, Eurytus, Iphitus, and a theft of oxen by Autolycus.
  language: English
  quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
  text: Atlas puts the dragon to sleep, outwits the Hesperides, and carries off three
    golden apples for Heracles.
  category: action
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: obs:2
  text: Atlas refuses to resume bearing the heavens and proposes to carry the apples
    to Eurystheus himself.
  category: action
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: obs:3
  text: Heracles pretends to agree, asks Atlas to support the heavens briefly, and
    departs after Atlas resumes the load.
  category: action
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: obs:4
  text: Eurystheus gives the golden apples back to Heracles, who places them on the
    altar of Pallas-Athene; Athene restores them to the garden of the Hesperides.
  category: sequence
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:2
- id: obs:5
  text: 'Eurystheus imposes a final labour: Heracles must bring Cerberus up from the
    lower world.'
  category: action
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:3
- id: obs:6
  text: Cerberus is described as a three-headed monster dog with poison-dripping jaws,
    venomous snakes for hair, and a dragon tail.
  category: attribute
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:4
- id: obs:7
  text: Heracles is initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries and receives information
    from priests before setting out for an underworld opening at Taenarum.
  category: sequence
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
- id: obs:8
  text: Hermes conducts Heracles into the lower world, where shades flee; Meleager
    and Medusa are exceptions.
  category: action
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
- id: obs:9
  text: Heracles frees Theseus from an enchanted rock but cannot free Pirithoeus because
    the earth shakes violently.
  category: action
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
- id: obs:10
  text: Heracles removes a rock from Ascalaphus, releasing him from punishment connected
    with Persephone and the pomegranate seeds.
  category: action
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:7
- id: obs:11
  text: Aides bars Heracles at the palace gates; Heracles wounds him with a dart and
    receives permission to take Cerberus if he secures the monster unarmed.
  category: action
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:8
- id: obs:12
  text: Heracles seizes Cerberus at the river Acheron, endures a bite from the dragon
    tail, brings him to the upper world, and later restores him to Aides.
  category: sequence
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:8
  - ev:9
- id: obs:13
  text: After the labours end, Heracles gives Megara in marriage to Iolaus with her
    consent and seeks to marry Iole, daughter of Eurytus.
  category: sequence
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: obs:14
  text: Heracles defeats Eurytus and his sons in an archery contest, but Eurytus refuses
    him Iole; Iphitus alone supports Heracles.
  category: relationship
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: obs:15
  text: Autolycus steals the oxen of Eurytus, and Eurytus suspects Heracles; Iphitus
    defends Heracles and proposes searching for the cattle with him.
  category: sequence
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:11
figures:
- id: fig:1
  name_or_label: Heracles
  description: Hero performing the labours; obtains the golden apples, descends to
    the underworld, captures Cerberus, and later seeks Iole.
  role_refs:
  - role:1
  - role:2
  - role:3
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
  - ev:3
  - ev:5
  - ev:8
  - ev:10
- id: fig:2
  name_or_label: Atlas
  description: Bearer of the heavens who retrieves the golden apples and tries to
    avoid resuming his burden.
  role_refs:
  - role:4
  - role:5
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: fig:3
  name_or_label: Prometheus
  description: Source of advice followed by Heracles before the golden apples episode.
  role_refs:
  - role:6
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: fig:4
  name_or_label: Dragon guarding the apples
  description: A dragon put to sleep by Atlas before the apples are taken.
  role_refs:
  - role:7
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: fig:5
  name_or_label: Hesperides
  description: Figures outwitted by Atlas when he carries off the golden apples; their
    garden later receives the restored apples.
  role_refs:
  - role:8
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
  - ev:2
- id: fig:6
  name_or_label: Eurystheus
  description: Imposer of Heracles' final labour and recipient of the golden apples
    and Cerberus.
  role_refs:
  - role:9
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:2
  - ev:3
  - ev:9
- id: fig:7
  name_or_label: Pallas-Athene
  description: Goddess whose altar receives the golden apples and who restores them
    to the garden of the Hesperides.
  role_refs:
  - role:10
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:2
- id: fig:8
  name_or_label: Cerberus
  description: Three-headed hell-hound of the lower world, captured and returned by
    Heracles.
  role_refs:
  - role:11
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:4
  - ev:8
  - ev:9
- id: fig:9
  name_or_label: Hermes
  description: Divine conductor of Heracles during the descent and restrainer of Heracles'
    attack on Medusa's shade.
  role_refs:
  - role:12
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
- id: fig:10
  name_or_label: Medusa
  description: A shade encountered in the lower world whom Heracles tries to strike
    before Hermes stops him.
  role_refs:
  - role:13
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
- id: fig:11
  name_or_label: Meleager
  description: A shade in the lower world who, with Medusa, does not flee from Heracles.
  role_refs:
  - role:13
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
- id: fig:12
  name_or_label: Theseus
  description: Captive fixed to an enchanted rock and freed by Heracles.
  role_refs:
  - role:14
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
- id: fig:13
  name_or_label: Pirithoeus
  description: Captive fixed to an enchanted rock whom Heracles cannot free.
  role_refs:
  - role:14
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
- id: fig:14
  name_or_label: Aides
  description: Ruler of the lower world who bars Heracles, is wounded, and permits
    Cerberus to be taken under a condition.
  role_refs:
  - role:15
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
  - ev:8
  - ev:9
- id: fig:15
  name_or_label: Persephone
  description: Figure whom Theseus and Pirithoeus tried to carry off; also bound to
    Aides after swallowing pomegranate seeds.
  role_refs:
  - role:16
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
  - ev:7
- id: fig:16
  name_or_label: Ascalaphus
  description: Sufferer beneath a rock after revealing Persephone's swallowing of
    pomegranate seeds; released by Heracles.
  role_refs:
  - role:17
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:7
- id: fig:17
  name_or_label: Demeter
  description: Goddess who hurled a huge rock upon Ascalaphus in anger.
  role_refs:
  - role:18
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:7
- id: fig:18
  name_or_label: Megara
  description: Former wife of Heracles, given in marriage to Iolaus with her consent.
  role_refs:
  - role:19
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: fig:19
  name_or_label: Iolaus
  description: Nephew of Heracles who receives Megara in marriage.
  role_refs:
  - role:20
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: fig:20
  name_or_label: Iole
  description: Daughter of Eurytus whom Heracles seeks to marry.
  role_refs:
  - role:21
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: fig:21
  name_or_label: Eurytus
  description: King of Oechalia, instructor of Heracles in the bow, father of Iole,
    and opponent in the marriage contest.
  role_refs:
  - role:22
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
  - ev:11
- id: fig:22
  name_or_label: Iphitus
  description: Eldest son of Eurytus who supports Heracles and later defends him against
    suspicion of cattle theft.
  role_refs:
  - role:23
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
  - ev:11
- id: fig:23
  name_or_label: Autolycus
  description: Notorious thief who steals the oxen of Eurytus.
  role_refs:
  - role:24
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:11
roles:
- id: role:1
  label: labour-performing hero
  assigned_to:
  - fig:1
  basis: Heracles carries out the final imposed labour and earlier obtains the apples.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
  - ev:3
  - ev:8
- id: role:2
  label: underworld descender
  assigned_to:
  - fig:1
  basis: Heracles enters the lower world through Taenarum and returns with Cerberus.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
  - ev:8
  - ev:9
- id: role:3
  label: liberator
  assigned_to:
  - fig:1
  basis: Heracles frees Theseus and Ascalaphus during his underworld journey.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
  - ev:7
- id: role:4
  label: cosmic burden bearer
  assigned_to:
  - fig:2
  basis: Atlas supports the heavens as his post and load.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: role:5
  label: apple retriever and reluctant returner
  assigned_to:
  - fig:2
  basis: Atlas retrieves the apples but tries not to resume his post.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: role:6
  label: advisor
  assigned_to:
  - fig:3
  basis: Heracles follows Prometheus' advice.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: role:7
  label: sleeping guardian
  assigned_to:
  - fig:4
  basis: Atlas puts the dragon to sleep before taking the apples.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: role:8
  label: outwitted custodians
  assigned_to:
  - fig:5
  basis: The Hesperides are outwitted when the apples are carried off; the apples
    are later restored to their garden.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
  - ev:2
- id: role:9
  label: task imposer
  assigned_to:
  - fig:6
  basis: Eurystheus imposes the labour of bringing up Cerberus and receives the results
    of Heracles' labours.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:2
  - ev:3
  - ev:9
- id: role:10
  label: divine restorer
  assigned_to:
  - fig:7
  basis: Pallas-Athene restores the golden apples to the garden of the Hesperides.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:2
- id: role:11
  label: underworld monster captive
  assigned_to:
  - fig:8
  basis: Cerberus is seized by Heracles, brought up, and returned to Aides.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:4
  - ev:8
  - ev:9
- id: role:12
  label: divine guide
  assigned_to:
  - fig:9
  basis: Hermes conducts Heracles during the descent and explains Medusa is only a
    shadow.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
- id: role:13
  label: shade encountered
  assigned_to:
  - fig:10
  - fig:11
  basis: Meleager and Medusa are named as shades who do not flee from Heracles.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
- id: role:14
  label: enchanted captive
  assigned_to:
  - fig:12
  - fig:13
  basis: Theseus and Pirithoeus are fixed to an enchanted rock by Aides.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
- id: role:15
  label: underworld ruler and gate opponent
  assigned_to:
  - fig:14
  basis: Aides rules the lower world, bars the entrance, and sets the condition for
    taking Cerberus.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:8
- id: role:16
  label: abduction target and bound spouse
  assigned_to:
  - fig:15
  basis: Persephone is the figure whom Theseus and Pirithoeus attempted to carry off
    and is bound to Aides after eating pomegranate seeds.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
  - ev:7
- id: role:17
  label: punished revealer
  assigned_to:
  - fig:16
  basis: Ascalaphus revealed Persephone's eating of seeds and groans under Demeter's
    rock until released.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:7
- id: role:18
  label: punishing goddess
  assigned_to:
  - fig:17
  basis: Demeter hurled the huge rock upon Ascalaphus in anger.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:7
- id: role:19
  label: former wife
  assigned_to:
  - fig:18
  basis: Megara cannot live happily with Heracles and is given in marriage to Iolaus
    with her consent.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: role:20
  label: nephew and new husband
  assigned_to:
  - fig:19
  basis: Iolaus is Heracles' nephew and receives Megara in marriage.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: role:21
  label: sought bride
  assigned_to:
  - fig:20
  basis: Heracles seeks the hand of Iole.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: role:22
  label: king, instructor, and refusing father
  assigned_to:
  - fig:21
  basis: Eurytus instructed Heracles in the bow but refuses to give Iole to him after
    the contest.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: role:23
  label: loyal defender
  assigned_to:
  - fig:22
  basis: Iphitus supports Heracles' marriage claim and defends him against the theft
    suspicion.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
  - ev:11
- id: role:24
  label: notorious thief
  assigned_to:
  - fig:23
  basis: Autolycus is named as the thief who stole Eurytus' oxen.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:11
symbols:
- id: sym:1
  label: golden apples
  literal_form: three golden apples / sacred fruit
  associated_figures:
  - fig:1
  - fig:2
  - fig:5
  - fig:6
  - fig:7
  taxonomy_refs: []
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
  - ev:2
- id: sym:2
  label: burden of the heavens
  literal_form: the heavens supported by Atlas and temporarily by Heracles
  associated_figures:
  - fig:1
  - fig:2
  taxonomy_refs: []
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: sym:3
  label: altar of Pallas-Athene
  literal_form: altar where Heracles places the sacred fruit
  associated_figures:
  - fig:1
  - fig:7
  taxonomy_refs: []
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:2
- id: sym:4
  label: underworld opening
  literal_form: opening at Taenarum leading to the under-world
  associated_figures:
  - fig:1
  - fig:9
  taxonomy_refs: []
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
- id: sym:5
  label: Cerberus
  literal_form: three-headed hell-hound with poison, snakes, and dragon tail
  associated_figures:
  - fig:1
  - fig:8
  - fig:14
  taxonomy_refs:
  - serpent
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:4
  - ev:8
  - ev:9
- id: sym:6
  label: enchanted rock
  literal_form: rock fixing Theseus and Pirithoeus in place
  associated_figures:
  - fig:12
  - fig:13
  - fig:14
  taxonomy_refs: []
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
- id: sym:7
  label: punishing rock
  literal_form: huge rock hurled by Demeter upon Ascalaphus
  associated_figures:
  - fig:16
  - fig:17
  taxonomy_refs: []
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:7
- id: sym:8
  label: pomegranate seeds
  literal_form: seeds swallowed by Persephone, binding her to Aides
  associated_figures:
  - fig:15
  - fig:16
  - fig:14
  taxonomy_refs: []
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:7
- id: sym:9
  label: Acheron
  literal_form: river mouth where Heracles finds Cerberus
  associated_figures:
  - fig:1
  - fig:8
  taxonomy_refs:
  - water
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:8
- id: sym:10
  label: bow contest
  literal_form: shooting with the bow as condition for winning Iole
  associated_figures:
  - fig:1
  - fig:20
  - fig:21
  taxonomy_refs: []
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: sym:11
  label: stolen oxen
  literal_form: oxen of Eurytus stolen by Autolycus
  associated_figures:
  - fig:21
  - fig:22
  - fig:23
  taxonomy_refs: []
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:11
scenes:
- id: scene:1
  label: Atlas retrieves the apples and is tricked back into his burden
  summary: Atlas puts the dragon to sleep, outwits the Hesperides, brings the apples
    to Heracles, then tries to leave Heracles bearing the heavens; Heracles deceives
    him into resuming the load and departs.
  figure_refs:
  - fig:1
  - fig:2
  - fig:3
  - fig:4
  - fig:5
  symbol_refs:
  - sym:1
  - sym:2
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
- id: scene:2
  label: Golden apples restored
  summary: Heracles gives the apples to Eurystheus, receives them back, places them
    on Athene's altar, and Athene restores them to the garden of the Hesperides.
  figure_refs:
  - fig:1
  - fig:5
  - fig:6
  - fig:7
  symbol_refs:
  - sym:1
  - sym:3
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:2
- id: scene:3
  label: Imposition and preparation for the Cerberus labour
  summary: Eurystheus orders Heracles to bring up Cerberus; Heracles is initiated,
    receives priestly information, and goes to the underworld opening at Taenarum.
  figure_refs:
  - fig:1
  - fig:6
  symbol_refs:
  - sym:4
  - sym:5
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:3
  - ev:5
- id: scene:4
  label: Descent among shades
  summary: Hermes conducts Heracles into the lower world; shades flee, and Hermes
    prevents Heracles from striking Medusa's shadow.
  figure_refs:
  - fig:1
  - fig:9
  - fig:10
  - fig:11
  symbol_refs:
  - sym:4
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
- id: scene:5
  label: Underworld rescues and failed rescue
  summary: Heracles frees Theseus from the enchanted rock but cannot free Pirithoeus
    because the earth shakes; he later removes Demeter's rock from Ascalaphus.
  figure_refs:
  - fig:1
  - fig:12
  - fig:13
  - fig:14
  - fig:15
  - fig:16
  - fig:17
  symbol_refs:
  - sym:6
  - sym:7
  - sym:8
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
  - ev:7
- id: scene:6
  label: Confronting Aides and capturing Cerberus
  summary: Aides blocks Heracles; after being wounded he permits Heracles to take
    Cerberus if unarmed. Heracles captures the monster at Acheron and brings him to
    the upper world.
  figure_refs:
  - fig:1
  - fig:8
  - fig:14
  symbol_refs:
  - sym:5
  - sym:9
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:8
- id: scene:7
  label: Cerberus returned and labours ended
  summary: Eurystheus fears Cerberus, returns him to Heracles, and Heracles restores
    him to Aides, ending his subjection to Eurystheus.
  figure_refs:
  - fig:1
  - fig:6
  - fig:8
  - fig:14
  symbol_refs:
  - sym:5
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:9
- id: scene:8
  label: Marriage contest and refusal
  summary: After returning to Thebes, Heracles gives Megara to Iolaus and seeks Iole;
    he wins the archery contest, but Eurytus refuses the marriage despite Iphitus'
    support.
  figure_refs:
  - fig:1
  - fig:18
  - fig:19
  - fig:20
  - fig:21
  - fig:22
  symbol_refs:
  - sym:10
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:10
- id: scene:9
  label: Stolen cattle suspicion
  summary: Autolycus steals the king's oxen; Eurytus suspects Heracles, while Iphitus
    defends him and proposes searching for the cattle with him.
  figure_refs:
  - fig:1
  - fig:21
  - fig:22
  - fig:23
  symbol_refs:
  - sym:11
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:11
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
  label: sacred theft and restoration of sacred fruit
  taxonomy_refs:
  - sacred_theft
  basis: The golden apples are carried off from the Hesperides after the dragon is
    put to sleep and are later restored by Pallas-Athene to the garden.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
  - ev:2
  confidence: high
  cautions: The passage presents the taking as part of Heracles' labour rather than
    as an independent theft episode by Heracles himself.
- id: motif:2
  label: trickster escape from imposed cosmic burden
  taxonomy_refs:
  - trickster_boundary
  basis: Heracles feigns assent to Atlas' proposal and tricks Atlas into resuming
    the heavens before departing.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:1
  confidence: medium
  cautions: The trick is a tactical episode within a heroic labour, not a full trickster-cycle
    narrative.
- id: motif:3
  label: hero descent to the underworld
  taxonomy_refs:
  - hero_descent
  basis: Heracles enters the lower world through Taenarum, travels among shades, confronts
    Aides, and returns to the upper world with Cerberus.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
  - ev:8
  - ev:9
  confidence: high
  cautions: ''
- id: motif:4
  label: initiation before perilous descent
  taxonomy_refs:
  - initiation
  basis: Before descending, Heracles is initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries and
    receives necessary information from priests.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
  confidence: high
  cautions: The passage does not describe the content of the mysteries.
- id: motif:5
  label: mapped route through the realm of the dead
  taxonomy_refs:
  - afterlife_journey_map
  basis: The passage names an entrance at Taenarum, the gates and palace of Aides,
    the river Acheron, and an exit near Troezen.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:5
  - ev:8
  confidence: medium
  cautions: The route is episodic and not presented as a formal map.
- id: motif:6
  label: serpentine underworld guardian subdued by hero
  taxonomy_refs:
  - serpent
  basis: Cerberus has venomous snakes and a dragon tail and is physically subdued
    by Heracles at Acheron.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:4
  - ev:8
  confidence: medium
  cautions: Cerberus is primarily a monster dog; the serpent reference is through
    his hair and tail.
- id: motif:7
  label: attempted abduction of underworld queen punished
  taxonomy_refs:
  - stolen_beloved
  basis: Theseus and Pirithoeus are fixed to an enchanted rock for attempting to carry
    off Persephone.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:6
  confidence: medium
  cautions: This is a recalled backstory within the passage, not the main action.
- id: motif:8
  label: binding food of the underworld
  taxonomy_refs:
  - sacred_exchange
  basis: Persephone's swallowing of pomegranate seeds offered by her husband binds
    her to Aides forever.
  evidence_refs:
  - ev:7
  confidence: medium
  cautions: The episode is summarized only as background to Ascalaphus' punishment.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
  type: summary
  locator: 8076-8086
  quote_or_summary: Heracles follows Prometheus' advice; Atlas puts the dragon to
    sleep, outwits the Hesperides, brings three golden apples, tries to leave Heracles
    bearing the heavens, and is tricked into resuming his load.
  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: 8088-8091
  quote_or_summary: Heracles conveys the golden apples to Eurystheus; Eurystheus presents
    them to Heracles, who places the sacred fruit on Athene's altar, and Athene restores
    them to the garden of the Hesperides.
  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: 8093-8098
  quote_or_summary: 'Eurystheus imposes the twelfth labour on Heracles: to bring Cerberus
    up from the lower world, expecting the hero to perish in the Realm of Shades.'
  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: quote
  locator: 8100-8102
  quote_or_summary: Cerberus is described as a monster dog with three heads, poison-dripping
    jaws, venomous snakes for hair, and a dragon tail.
  source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek-roman/project-gutenberg/myths-legends-ancient-greece-rome-berens.md
  rights_note: Public domain source; short descriptive summary.
- id: ev:5
  type: summary
  locator: 8104-8113
  quote_or_summary: After initiation into the Eleusinian Mysteries and priestly instruction,
    Heracles goes to the opening at Taenarum; Hermes conducts his descent, shades
    flee, and Hermes stops him from striking Medusa's shadow.
  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: 8115-8121
  quote_or_summary: At the gates of Hades, Heracles finds Theseus and Pirithoeus fixed
    to an enchanted rock for trying to carry off Persephone; he frees Theseus but
    cannot free Pirithoeus because the earth shakes.
  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: 8123-8129
  quote_or_summary: Heracles recognizes Ascalaphus, who revealed Persephone's swallowing
    of pomegranate seeds; Ascalaphus groans beneath Demeter's rock until Heracles
    removes it.
  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: 8131-8143
  quote_or_summary: Aides bars Heracles at his palace; Heracles wounds him and receives
    permission to take Cerberus if unarmed. Heracles finds Cerberus at Acheron, seizes
    him, endures the dragon-tail bite, and brings him to the upper world near Troezen.
  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: 8145-8149
  quote_or_summary: Eurystheus is aghast at Cerberus and returns the hell-hound to
    Heracles, who restores him to Aides; this ends Heracles' subjection to Eurystheus.
  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:10
  type: summary
  locator: 8151-8163
  quote_or_summary: Heracles returns to Thebes, gives Megara to Iolaus with her consent,
    seeks Iole, wins Eurytus' bow contest, but is refused by Eurytus; Iphitus supports
    Heracles.
  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:11
  type: summary
  locator: 8165-8168
  quote_or_summary: Autolycus steals the king's oxen; Eurytus suspects Heracles, but
    Iphitus defends him and proposes searching for the missing cattle with Heracles.
  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: high
  notes: Literal extraction is straightforward from the supplied English passage.
    Motif labels use only available taxonomy references where supported. No comparison
    claims are made because the passage itself does not assert cross-traditional comparison.
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 observations and motif candidates are based only on the supplied passage and metadata.
  batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
  custom_id=motif_extract:greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg__l8076-l8168
  passage_sha256=f204defba829e7cc0af370449600838c89a71a89affdb431ebd243f568676819