batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l12518-l12668
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l12518-l12668
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
passage_locator:
label: XXIII / HERE FOLLOWETH THE TOOTH-FIGHT OF FINTAN / THE RED-SHAME OF MENN
FOLLOWETH HERE / HERE FOLLOWETH THE ACCOUTREMENT OF THE CHARIOTEERS; lines 12518-12668
start: '12518'
end: '12668'
translation: The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage recounts the deaths of the Ulster charioteers in battle, then
tells how Cuchulain summons Rochad. Ailill's side uses Finnabair to lure Rochad
into a parley, seize him, and secure a truce, promising Finnabair to him. Munster
under-kings then claim Finnabair had already been promised to each of them as
the price of their participation, provoking an internal attack and mediation after
heavy casualties.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The charioteers of the Ulstermen number thrice fifty, offer three battles
to the hosts, kill thrice their own number, and then fall where they stood.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The charioteers are said to have defeated men of Erin with rocks, boulders,
and clumps of earth.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Cuchulain sends his charioteer to Rochad son of Fathemon so that Rochad may
come to his aid.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Rochad comes with thrice fifty warriors and occupies a hill facing the hosts.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Fergus advises that a maiden and warriors be used to draw Rochad alone into
conversation so that he can be seized.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Finnabair says she has long loved Rochad and calls him her sweetheart, first
love, and chosen wooer.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Ailill and Medb tell Finnabair to sleep with Rochad and ask him for a truce
for the hosts.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Rochad goes alone to speak with Finnabair, is surrounded and seized, and his
followers are routed; he is then released under a promise not to oppose Ailill's
host until the great battle, and Finnabair is promised to him.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Several Under-kings of Munster claim Finnabair had been pledged to each of
them as sole wife in return for joining the hosting.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: The Munster under-kings resolve to avenge their wife and honour by attacking
the Mane, the sons of Ailill, who guard the rear of the army.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Fergus intervenes between the opposing forces, and a mediation is made, but
hundreds of warriors have already fallen in Glenn Domain.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Charioteers of the Ulstermen
description: A group of thrice fifty charioteers who fight the hosts and fall on
the battlefield.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Hosts / men of Erin
description: The opposing host against whom the Ulster charioteers and later Rochad's
faction are set.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Cuchulain
description: The Ulster hero who sends his charioteer to call Rochad to his aid.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Rochad Rigderg son of Fathemon
description: A fair young Ulster warrior summoned to aid Cuchulain; he is lured
to speak with Finnabair, seized, released under conditions, and promised Finnabair.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Ailill
description: A leader of the host who asks Fergus to identify Rochad and, with Medb,
instructs Finnabair to obtain a truce from Rochad.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Medb
description: A leader of the host and mother of Finnabair; she hears Finnabair's
declaration of love and joins Ailill in directing Finnabair's role in the truce
bargain.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Finnabair daughter of Ailill and Medb
description: A maiden who loves Rochad, is sent to speak with him, sleeps with him,
and is promised to him; later others claim she had also been pledged to them.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Fergus
description: Ailill's adviser who identifies Rochad, proposes the ruse, and later
intervenes to mediate between fighting groups.
role_refs:
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Horseman
description: A messenger who tells Rochad that Finnabair has sent for him to speak
with her.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Rochad's followers
description: Rochad's warriors who are routed and driven off when Rochad is seized.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Under-kings of Munster
description: Rulers in the camp who claim Finnabair was pledged to them and move
to attack the Mane over wife and honour.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: The Mane, sons of Ailill
description: Sons of Ailill guarding the rear of the army at Imlech in Glendamrach,
targeted by the Munster under-kings.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: fallen charioteer-combatants
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: They offer battle, kill many, and fall on the field.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: opposing host
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: They are the hosts or men of Erin fought by the Ulster forces.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: summoner of aid
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Cuchulain sends his charioteer to Rochad for help.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: summoned ally
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Rochad is asked to come to Cuchulain's aid and approaches with warriors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: lured and bound opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Rochad is drawn alone into parley, seized, released, and bound not to oppose
the host until a later battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: leaders using marriage-truce strategy
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:6
basis: Ailill and Medb tell Finnabair to sleep with Rochad and seek a truce.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: lover and intermediary
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Finnabair declares love for Rochad and is used to bring him into conversation
and truce.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: contested pledged bride
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Finnabair is promised to Rochad and also claimed by Munster under-kings as
previously pledged to each of them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: strategic adviser
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Fergus identifies Rochad and advises a plan to have him seized.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:10
label: mediator between factions
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Fergus rises to intervene between the fighting groups and mediation follows.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: message-bearer
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The horseman tells Rochad that Finnabair asks him to come speak with her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:12
label: routed retinue
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Rochad's followers are routed and driven in flight when he is seized.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:13
label: aggrieved claimant-warriors
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: They claim Finnabair was pledged to them and resolve to attack over wife
and honour.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:14
label: rear-guard targets
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: The Mane guard the rear of the army and are selected as targets by the Munster
under-kings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: improvised battlefield weapons
literal_form: rocks, boulders, and clumps of earth
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: hill facing the hosts
literal_form: a hill fronting the hosts
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: pledged maiden in war bargain
literal_form: Finnabair as promised wife or intermediary in exchange for truce or
military participation
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Fall of the Ulster charioteers
summary: The Ulster charioteers fight the hosts, kill many using stones and earth,
and die on the battlefield.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Rochad summoned and sighted
summary: Cuchulain summons Rochad, who approaches with warriors and takes a hill
facing the host; Ailill asks Fergus to identify him.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Ruse of Finnabair and seizure of Rochad
summary: Fergus proposes using Finnabair and warriors to lure Rochad alone; a horseman
delivers the message, Rochad comes, and he is surrounded and seized.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Truce bargain through Finnabair
summary: Finnabair declares her love for Rochad; Ailill and Medb direct her to sleep
with him and ask a truce, and Rochad accepts conditions that include the promise
of Finnabair.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Competing bride pledges and internal bloodshed
summary: Munster under-kings claim Finnabair was pledged to each of them and move
against the Mane; multiple forces arise, Fergus intervenes, and mediation follows
after many deaths.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: heroic last stand of charioteers
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A small numbered group of charioteers fights repeated battles, kills many
enemies with improvised weapons, and dies on the field.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: This is a local battle episode; no broader taxonomy reference is asserted.
- id: motif:2
label: warrior lured by beloved into capture
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Rochad is invited to speak with Finnabair, comes alone, and is surrounded
and seized.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames the plan as a ruse, but Finnabair's own declared love
complicates a simple deception label.
- id: motif:3
label: sexual or marriage promise used to secure military truce
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ailill and Medb tell Finnabair to sleep with Rochad and ask for a truce;
Rochad is promised Finnabair as part of the arrangement.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not describe this as sacred or ritual exchange; taxonomy
refs are therefore omitted.
- id: motif:4
label: multiple warriors promised the same bride for military service
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Munster under-kings say Finnabair was pledged to each as sole wife as
the price for joining the hosting.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The claim is reported by the under-kings; the passage does not independently
verify the original pledges.
- id: motif:5
label: intra-allied conflict over honour and marriage pledge
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Munster under-kings resolve to attack Ailill's sons over wife and honour,
leading to armed intervention and casualties before mediation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The conflict remains within the war-host setting and is not generalized
beyond this episode.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 12518-12528; W.4551
quote_or_summary: The Ulster charioteers, thrice fifty in number, offer three battles,
kill thrice their number, fall on the field, and are said to have defeated men
of Erin with rocks, boulders, and clumps of earth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 12538-12550; W.4556
quote_or_summary: Cuchulain sends his charioteer to Rochad son of Fathemon for aid;
Rochad comes from the north with thrice fifty warriors and takes possession of
a hill facing the hosts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 12550-12561; W.4556-W.4558
quote_or_summary: Ailill asks Fergus to identify the approaching warrior; Fergus
names Rochad and advises sending warriors with a maiden so that Rochad comes alone
to speak with her and can be seized.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 12561-12576; W.4558
quote_or_summary: Finnabair tells Medb she has long loved Rochad, calling him her
sweetheart and first love; Ailill and Medb tell her to sleep with him and seek
a truce for the hosts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 12601-12613
quote_or_summary: A horseman tells Rochad that Finnabair wishes to speak with him;
Rochad goes alone, is surrounded and seized, his followers are routed, and he
is freed after being bound not to oppose Ailill's host until the later battle;
Finnabair is promised to him and sleeps with him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 12617-12633; W.4568
quote_or_summary: An Under-king of Munster, and then the other Under-kings, claim
Finnabair had been pledged to each of them as sole wife in exchange for participating
in the hosting.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 12633-12650
quote_or_summary: The Munster under-kings decide to avenge their wife and honour
on the Mane, sons of Ailill, who guard the rear; they arise with their divisions,
and Ailill, Medb, the sons of Maga, Leinstermen, Munstermen, and people of Tara
also arise.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 12654-12668
quote_or_summary: Fergus rises with his force to intervene; mediation is made so
each side sits near the other by their arms, but before intervention eight hundred
very valiant warriors have fallen in Glenn Domain.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels
are descriptive and passage-local. No comparison claims are made because the passage
itself does not support cross-tradition or taxonomy-level 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: |-
No available taxonomy motif family or symbol reference was assigned, because the passage supports martial, ruse, pledge, and mediation patterns but not the listed sacred or cosmological categories directly.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg__l12518-l12668
passage_sha256=3a2002f06126705de45c0d95378ffa065a8e8e30389bf3b42819e19204638983