batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l8266-l8323
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg-l8266-l8323
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 8266-8323
start: '8266'
end: '8323'
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: Heracles kills the Centaur Nessus after Nessus attempts to abduct Deianeira.
The dying Nessus gives Deianeira his blood as a supposed love charm. Later, fearing
Iole as a rival, Deianeira applies the blood to a sacrificial robe for Heracles.
The poisoned robe tortures Heracles; Deianeira hangs herself in remorse. Heracles
mounts a funeral pyre, Philoctetes lights it and receives his bow and arrows,
and Athene carries Heracles to Olympus, where he is reconciled with Hera and weds
Hebe.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: At the river Evenus, Nessus was accustomed to carrying travellers across for
hire.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Heracles forded the river with his little son and entrusted Deianeira to Nessus.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Nessus attempted to carry Deianeira off, and Heracles shot him through the
heart with a poisoned arrow.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: The dying Nessus told Deianeira to preserve some of his blood and use it as
a charm if she feared losing Heracles' affection.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Heracles later captured Oechalia, killed Eurytus and his three sons, burned
the town, and carried away Iole captive.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Heracles halted at Cenoeus to offer a sacrifice to Zeus and requested a sacrificial
robe from Deianeira.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Deianeira, fearing Iole as a rival, applied the preserved liquid to the robe
and sent it to Heracles.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: When altar flames heated the robe, the poison penetrated Heracles' body and
the garment adhered to his skin.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Deianeira saw Heracles' suffering, was overcome with grief and remorse, and
hanged herself.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Heracles told Hyllus to marry Iole and ordered a funeral pyre to be built.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: Philoctetes lit the pyre at Heracles' request and received Heracles' bow and
arrows.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Amid flames, lightning, and thunder, Pallas-Athene descended in a cloud and
bore Heracles in a chariot to Olympus.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: Heracles was admitted among the immortals; Hera reconciled with him and gave
him Hebe as wife.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Heracles
description: Hero who kills Nessus, conquers Oechalia, suffers from the poisoned
robe, mounts the funeral pyre, and is taken to Olympus.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Deianeira
description: Wife of Heracles; nearly abducted by Nessus; preserves Nessus' blood,
sends the treated robe, and later hangs herself in remorse.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Nessus
description: Centaur ferryman at the Evenus who attempts to carry off Deianeira
and, while dying, gives her instructions about his blood.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Iole
description: Young captive carried away by Heracles after the fall of Oechalia;
feared by Deianeira as a rival; later assigned by Heracles to Hyllus as wife.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Eurytus
description: King of Oechalia, killed by Heracles with his three sons.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Hyllus
description: Son of Heracles, called to Heracles' side and instructed to marry Iole.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Philoctetes
description: Friend and companion of Heracles who lights the funeral pyre and receives
Heracles' bow and arrows.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Pallas-Athene
description: Divine figure who descends in a cloud and carries Heracles to Olympus
in a chariot.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Hera
description: Divine figure who reconciles with Heracles and gives him Hebe.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Hebe
description: Daughter of Hera and goddess of eternal youth, given to Heracles as
wife.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Zeus
description: Recipient of the sacrifice Heracles intended to offer at Cenoeus.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
roles:
- id: role:1
label: warrior hero
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Heracles undertakes expeditions, besieges Oechalia, and is called the great
hero.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: wife endangered and deceived
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Deianeira is nearly abducted and later follows Nessus' deceptive instruction
about the blood charm.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: aggressor
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Nessus attempts to carry Deianeira off.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: revengeful dying deceiver
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: While dying and thirsting for revenge, Nessus instructs Deianeira to preserve
his blood as a charm.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: unwitting cause of suffering
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Deianeira sends the treated robe and is later described as the innocent cause
of Heracles' suffering.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: captive and perceived rival
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Iole is carried away captive, and Deianeira fears her charms may supplant
her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: sufferer of poisoned garment
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The robe's poison penetrates Heracles and causes fearful tortures.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: apotheosized hero
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Athene carries Heracles to Olympus, and he is admitted among the immortals.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:9
label: defeated king
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Eurytus is king of Oechalia and is slain by Heracles.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:10
label: son and heir-instruction recipient
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Hyllus is called to Heracles' side and instructed to marry Iole.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: compassionate pyre-lighter and weapon recipient
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Philoctetes lights the pyre in response to Heracles' appeal and receives
the bow and arrows.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:12
label: divine transporter
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Pallas-Athene descends and bears Heracles to Olympus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:13
label: reconciler
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Hera gives Hebe to Heracles in token of reconciliation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:14
label: divine bride
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Hebe is bestowed on Heracles as wife after his admission among the immortals.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:15
label: sacrifice recipient
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Heracles intended to offer a sacrifice to Zeus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: poisoned blood as love charm
literal_form: Blood from Nessus' wound preserved in a phial and used on a robe as
a supposed charm
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:2
label: poisoned robe
literal_form: Sacrificial robe imbued with the preserved liquid that adheres to
Heracles' skin
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: altar flames
literal_form: Hot flames rising from the altar during sacrifice
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: funeral pyre
literal_form: Pyre built at Heracles' order and lit by Philoctetes
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:5
label: bow and arrows
literal_form: Heracles' bow and arrows given to Philoctetes
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:6
label: cloud chariot to Olympus
literal_form: Cloud and chariot by which Athene bears Heracles to Olympus
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Nessus at the river Evenus
summary: Heracles crosses the river unaided with his child, entrusts Deianeira to
Nessus, and kills Nessus when he attempts to carry her away.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Dying Nessus gives the blood charm
summary: The dying Centaur, seeking revenge, instructs Deianeira to collect blood
from his wound and use it if she fears losing Heracles' affection.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Capture of Oechalia and Iole
summary: Heracles defeats Oechalia, kills Eurytus and his sons, burns the town,
and takes Iole captive.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: The treated sacrificial robe
summary: Heracles requests a robe for sacrifice; Deianeira fears Iole and applies
Nessus' liquid to the robe before sending it.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Poison awakened by altar fire
summary: Heracles puts on the robe; altar flames heat the poison, which penetrates
his body and makes the garment cling to him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Deianeira's suicide and Heracles' pyre
summary: Deianeira hangs herself in remorse. Heracles instructs Hyllus to marry
Iole, mounts a funeral pyre, and Philoctetes lights it, receiving the bow and
arrows.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:7
label: Ascent and immortal admission
summary: Amid flames, lightning, and thunder, Athene carries Heracles to Olympus;
he is admitted among the immortals and receives Hebe from Hera.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: deceptive love charm becomes fatal poison
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Nessus presents his blood as a charm to preserve Heracles' affection, but
when Deianeira uses it on the robe it becomes the cause of Heracles' torment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents the object as a revenge device rather than naming
a broader motif family.
- id: motif:2
label: poisoned garment that cannot be removed
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The robe is imbued with poison, penetrates Heracles' body, and adheres to
his skin when he tries to tear it away.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy reference directly names this motif.
- id: motif:3
label: self-chosen death on funeral pyre
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Heracles orders a pyre, mounts it, and asks others to set it on fire to end
his sufferings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The scene involves a pyre and voluntary death, but the taxonomy label
'sacrifice' is broader than the passage's explicit wording.
- id: motif:4
label: hero's ascent to divine realm after fiery death
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
basis: After the pyre is lit, flames rise and Athene carries Heracles in a chariot
to Olympus, where he is admitted among the immortals.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage describes ascent and immortal admission, not a return to mortal
life.
- id: motif:5
label: reconciliation through divine marriage
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_marriage
basis: Hera marks reconciliation by bestowing Hebe, goddess of eternal youth, upon
Heracles as wife.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents the marriage as a divine honor and reconciliation;
the broader 'sacred_marriage' taxonomy should be reviewed.
- id: motif:6
label: transfer of hero's weapons to companion
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Philoctetes lights the pyre and receives Heracles' bow and arrows in return.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy reference directly names this motif.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 8266-8273
quote_or_summary: At the river Evenus, Nessus carries travellers for hire; Heracles
crosses with his child, entrusts Deianeira to Nessus, and kills Nessus with a
poisoned arrow when he attempts to carry her off.
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 8273-8280
quote_or_summary: The dying Nessus seeks revenge and tells Deianeira to preserve
blood from his wound as a charm against losing Heracles' affection.
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 8283-8290
quote_or_summary: Heracles attacks Oechalia to avenge Eurytus' refusal to give him
Iole, kills Eurytus and his three sons, burns the town, and takes Iole captive.
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 8291-8294
quote_or_summary: Returning victorious, Heracles halts at Cenoeus to offer sacrifice
to Zeus and sends to Deianeira at Trachin for a sacrificial robe.
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 8294-8301
quote_or_summary: Deianeira hears Iole is with Heracles, fears being supplanted,
remembers Nessus' advice, applies liquid from the preserved phial to the robe,
and sends it to 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:6
type: summary
locator: lines 8302-8308
quote_or_summary: Heracles puts on the garment; altar flames heat the poison, venom
penetrates his body, and the robe clings to his skin when he tries to remove 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:7
type: summary
locator: lines 8310-8313
quote_or_summary: At Trachin, Deianeira sees Heracles' suffering, is overcome by
grief and remorse, and hangs herself.
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: lines 8313-8320
quote_or_summary: Heracles calls Hyllus, tells him to marry Iole, orders a funeral
pyre, mounts it, and asks for it to be lit; Philoctetes lights the pile and receives
Heracles' bow and arrows.
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: lines 8321-8323
quote_or_summary: Flames ascend amid lightning and thunder; Pallas-Athene descends
in a cloud and carries Heracles in a chariot to Olympus.
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: lines 8324-8326
quote_or_summary: Heracles is admitted among the immortals; Hera reconciles with
him by giving him Hebe, goddess of eternal youth.
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 straightforward from the provided passage. Motif taxonomy
assignments for sacrifice and sacred_marriage are interpretive and should be reviewed.
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not make comparative
links.
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: |-
Line locator in evidence follows the supplied passage range, with a small continuation for the final apotheosis sentence as included in the provided passage text.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-roman-berens-myths-legends-gutenberg__l8266-l8323
passage_sha256=122e974743829857d8bf32b63902ba3c6d5597f133da3a6c28909bda4c18b670