batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l8988-l9074
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l8988-l9074
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
passage_locator:
label: THE SCYTHED CHARIOT / XVIII / HERE NOW IS TOLD THE MISTHROW AT BELACH EOIN.
/ HERE NOW FOLLOWETH THE DISGUISING OF TAMON; lines 8988-9074
start: '8988'
end: '9074'
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 men of Erin dress Tamon the fool in Ailill's garments, golden shawl,
and diadem and send him to the ford. Cuchulain mistakes him for Ailill and kills
him with a sling-stone, giving rise to the ford-name Ath Tamuin and the tale-name
'the Disguising of Tamon.' The next section begins with Medb asking for someone
to fight Cuchulain; the men refuse. Medb summons Fergus, who objects because Cuchulain
is a young former disciple and fosterling of Ulster, but after being made drunk
and pressed, Fergus goes out in his chariot to the combat-place.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The men of Erin tell Tamon the fool to put on Ailill's garments and golden
shawl and go to the nearby ford.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Ailill's people place the king's diadem on Tamon's head because Ailill does
not dare wear it himself.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The men of Erin mock Tamon for being disguised in Ailill's dress and golden
shawl.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Cuchulain thinks the disguised Tamon is Ailill and strikes him with a stone
from a staff-sling.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Tamon dies at the ford after his head is broken by the sling-stone.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The ford is said to be named Ath Tamuin after Tamon, and the episode is said
to be called 'the Disguising of Tamon.'
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Medb asks the men of Erin for someone to contend with Cuchulain on the following
morning.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The men of Erin each refuse to be the one sent to fight Cuchulain and speak
of not being sent as a victim in another's place.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Medb summons Fergus to fight Cuchulain at the ford, but Fergus says it would
not be fitting to fight a beardless young lad who is his own disciple and foster-child
of Ulster.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Fergus is given wine until he is heavily drunk, is urgently pressed, and then
goes out in his harnessed chariot to the place where Cuchulain is.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Tamon the fool
description: A figure called Tamon the fool, dressed in Ailill's royal garments
and killed at the ford.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Ailill
description: The king whose garments, golden shawl, and diadem are put on Tamon;
he does not dare wear the diadem himself.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Men of Erin
description: The group that dresses and mocks Tamon, later refuses to fight Cuchulain,
and is said to have failed Medb.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Cuchulain
description: The warrior at the ford who mistakes Tamon for Ailill, kills him with
a sling-stone, and is later the opponent Medb wants someone to fight.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Medb
description: The leader who calls for a fighter against Cuchulain and summons Fergus
when the others refuse.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Fergus
description: The warrior summoned by Medb to fight Cuchulain; he objects because
of his relationship to Cuchulain but later goes to the combat-place after being
made drunk and pressed.
role_refs:
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: disguised substitute
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Tamon is dressed in Ailill's royal clothing and sent to the ford, where Cuchulain
mistakes him for Ailill.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: killed decoy
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Tamon is struck and dies at the ford while disguised as Ailill.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: king whose regalia is used
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Ailill's garments, golden shawl, and diadem are put on Tamon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: mocking instigators
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The men of Erin tell Tamon to dress as Ailill and jeer at him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: combat refusers
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: When Medb asks for someone to fight Cuchulain, each refuses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: mistaken attacker
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Cuchulain, not knowing the disguise, attacks Tamon as though he were Ailill.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: feared opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The men of Erin refuse to be sent to fight him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: commander seeking champion
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Medb calls for someone to fight Cuchulain and then summons Fergus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: reluctant combatant
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Fergus says it would ill befit him to fight Cuchulain, his young disciple
and fosterling.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:10
label: pressed and intoxicated fighter
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Fergus is filled with wine, importuned, and then goes out in his chariot
to the combat-place.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: royal garments and golden shawl
literal_form: Ailill's garments and the king's golden shawl worn by Tamon
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: king's diadem
literal_form: Ailill's diadem placed on Tamon's head
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: ford
literal_form: The ford before the men of Erin where Tamon is sent and killed; later
called Ath Tamuin
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: staff-sling and stone
literal_form: Cuchulain's staff-sling and the stone he casts at Tamon
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:5
label: wine
literal_form: Wine given to Fergus until he is heavily drunk
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: harnessed chariot
literal_form: Fergus's chariot prepared before he goes to the combat-place
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: pillar-stone in Crich Roiss
literal_form: The camp location of the hosts of the four provinces of Erin
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Tamon disguised and sent to the ford
summary: The men of Erin dress Tamon in Ailill's garments, golden shawl, and diadem
and send him to the ford while mocking him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Cuchulain kills the disguised Tamon
summary: Cuchulain mistakes Tamon for Ailill and kills him with a stone from a staff-sling
at the ford.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Naming of Ath Tamuin and the tale
summary: The passage explains the ford-name Ath Tamuin and the tale-name 'the Disguising
of Tamon' as consequences of Tamon's death and disguise.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Medb seeks a fighter against Cuchulain
summary: At the camp by the pillar-stone, Medb asks for someone to fight Cuchulain,
but the men of Erin refuse.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Fergus is pressed into combat
summary: Medb summons Fergus; he objects to fighting his young disciple Cuchulain,
but after being made drunk and pressed, he goes out in his chariot to the combat-place.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: disguised substitute killed in place of a ruler
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Tamon is dressed in Ailill's regalia, Cuchulain mistakes him for Ailill,
and Tamon is killed at the ford.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not state a formal ritual substitution; it presents a
battlefield deception using royal clothing.
- id: motif:2
label: place-name etiology from a death at a ford
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage explains Ath Tamuin as the name of the ford after Tamon is killed
there.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly matches place-name etiology.
- id: motif:3
label: reluctant champion compelled to fight former pupil
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Fergus refuses to fight Cuchulain because Cuchulain is his young disciple
and fosterling, but he is intoxicated, pressed, and sent to the combat-place.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The combat itself is only initiated in this passage; its outcome is not
included.
- id: motif:4
label: collective refusal to face a feared warrior
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: When Medb asks for a fighter against Cuchulain, every man refuses to be the
one sent.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: This is a narrative pattern within the passage rather than a taxonomy-linked
motif.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 8988-9001
quote_or_summary: The men of Erin instruct Tamon the fool to wear Ailill's garments
and golden shawl, Ailill's people place the king's diadem on him, and the men
mock him as disguised in Ailill's dress.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 9001-9006
quote_or_summary: Cuchulain sees Tamon, believes in ignorance that he is Ailill,
casts a stone from his staff-sling, breaks his head, and Tamon dies at the ford.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 9006-9008
quote_or_summary: The passage states that Ath Tamuin is the name of the ford ever
since and that 'the Disguising of Tamon' is the name of the tale.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 9023-9035
quote_or_summary: The hosts camp at the pillar-stone in Crich Roiss; Medb calls
for one of the men of Erin to fight Cuchulain, and each refuses, saying he will
not be sent as a victim in another's place.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 9044-9055
quote_or_summary: Medb summons Fergus to fight Cuchulain at the ford; Fergus objects
that it would not befit him to fight a beardless young lad, his own disciple and
the fosterling of Ulster.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 9055-9074
quote_or_summary: Medb complains of Fergus's refusal; Fergus is filled with wine
until heavily drunk, is urgently pressed, and in the morning his horses and chariot
are readied and he goes to the combat-place where Cuchulain is.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The passage supplies clear narrative actions, figures, objects, and etiology.
Motif labels are descriptive and not linked to taxonomy because the available
taxonomy does not directly include disguise-decoy, place-name etiology, or reluctant-combatant
patterns.
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 make an explicit or nearby-corpus comparison.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg__l8988-l9074
passage_sha256=f0fed3e6d77ef3cc231c55121a7aa33e90053d070d14f82ec25cd1cc68e0945d