μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Uriah letter changed. Falsified order of execution. A messenger is sent with a letter ordering the recipient to kill the bearer. On the way the letter is changed so that the bearer is honored.

Deceptions. · Escape by deception. · Death order evaded. · view the constellation · filed as K511

Filed across the traditions
  • Greek *Frazer Apollodorus I 151 n. 2 → on our shelf: The Library (Bibliotheca), BOOK II, ch. III
  • Jewish Neuman
  • India *Thompson-Balys
  • Buddhist myth Malalasekera I 828
  • Japanese Ikeda
  • Africa Frobenius Atlantis IV 290.
  • general *Types 428, 930
  • general *Aarne FFC XXIII 69ff., 91
  • general *BP I 282
  • general *Fb "brev" IV 61ab
  • general *Chauvin VIII 143ff. Nos. 145ABC
  • general *Cosquin Études 143ff.
  • general Gunkel Märchen im alten Testament (Tübingen, 1921) 132
  • general *Boje 79
  • general *Penzer I 52, II 113f., III 277ff.
  • general Alphabet No. 593
  • general *Dickson 235 n. 33
  • general Tupper and Ogle Walter Map 271. Icelandic: Hdwb. d. Märchens I 326 nn. 16–26, Herrmann Saxo II 262ff. I, *Boberg
Within the index

Filed under Death order evaded.

2 finer motifs beneath it
Death evaded by persuading executioner that another victim was ordered. (E.g., boy has been ordered to kill hare. Hare persuades the boy that the father said, "Kill the rooster for the hare.") Ogam inscription on shield orders that bearer (who does not know meaning) shall be killed. Poet (who recognizes the meaning) reports to king that inscription means a request for honorable treatment
Filed beside it
Compassionate executioner. A servant charged with killing the hero (heroine) arranges the escape of the latter Bribed executioner releases culprit Disguise as girl to avoid execution Escape by hiding
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
Magic object acquired by exchanging letters. (Cf. K511)
Keeps company with — shares receipted episodes
Chimera. Combination of lion, dragon, and goat. Breathes fire Potiphar's wife. A woman makes vain overtures to a man and then accuses him of attempting to force her
Carried in tale types

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “falsified” · wander