Inset Stories

The embedded stories in The Seven Sages of Rome/The Book of Sindbad tradition were given Latin short titles in the 19th century by Goedeke (1866). These titles have been used in most (European) scholarship treating the tradition. For this reason, we have preserved the Latin names. We have added English translations of those titles, either directly translating the Latin, or adding detail when that either appears frequently in folklore scholarship (e.g. ATU motif index, or Marzolph and van Leeuwen (2004)'s work on the Arabian Nights), or when it is necessary to differentiate different stories with similar Latin titles.

There are 114 inset stories in the database

Inset Story	Motif
4 Amatores – The Four Lovers in the Chest	Gullible (would-be) lover Deception Humiliation Deceitful woman Adultery Imprisonment Deception of would-be lover Money in exchange for promise of sex Multiple lovers Failed/rejected seduction Woman tricked/coerced into sex Person concealed within a chest Body fluids Judgement Coerced sex Concealed lover
Abbas – The Abbot	Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Disguise Deceitful lover Clothes Mistaken or concealed identity Member of Clergy Concealed lover
Absalom Mortuus	Father/son relationships Death of son Biblical narrative Grief Remorse
Absalom Rebellus	Father/son relationships Biblical narrative Violent punishment Revenge Woman tricked/coerced into sex Rape Fratricide Judgement
Ahmed	Deception Deceitful woman Accidental death Murder Adultery Unjust execution Death of lover Beheading Deceitful lover Mistaken or concealed identity Judgement Adoption Misinterpretation
Amantes – The Two Lovers	Accidental death Murder Suicide Death of lover Failed/rejected seduction Grief Mistaken or concealed identity Remorse Love (or lust) at first sight Misinterpretation
Amatores – The Three Lovers	Deceitful woman Familial relationships Murder Adultery Disposal of corpse Deception of would-be lover Death of lover Money in exchange for promise of sex Multiple lovers Failed/rejected seduction Love (or lust) at first sight Window Misinterpretation
Amazona	Lecherous old man Deception Riches Disguise Money in exchange for promise of sex Deceitful lover Woman tricked/coerced into sex Rape Marriage Mistaken or concealed identity Gender play Coerced Marriage Coerced sex Woman in 'male' role
Annulus 2	Father/son relationships Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Magical beings (spirits, demons, djinn, witches) Magic Person concealed within a chest Coerced sex Man tricked/coerced into sex Setting: nature Concealed lover
Anthenor – The King's Daughter	Father/daughter relationships Arranged marriage Deceitful woman Childbirth Pregnancy Orientalised setting Dynastic marriage Revenge Impotence anxiety Wicked stepmother/mother-in-law Military conflict Homosexuality Marriage Misinterpretation
Aper – The Boar and the Fruit	Deception Animal tale Food and drink Lesson: greed Boar Lesson: flattery Setting: nature Orchard
Arbor – The Tree	Father/son relationships Age versus youth Lesson: loyalty Foolish old man Setting: nature Orchard
Arca – The Chest of Stones	Father/son relationships Deception Familial relationships Deceitful old man Riches Familial duty Food and drink Overheard secret Wise old man Friendship Old man Remorse Misinterpretation
Aristoteles	Lecherous old man Gullible (would-be) lover Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Humiliation Deceitful woman Wise old man Foolish old man Old man
Armiger	Violent punishment Familial relationships Familial duty Theft Punishment for theft Debt Unjust execution Judgement Court of law
Assassinus	Murder Caves and underground spaces Religious conflict Islamophobia Assassination Islam Christianity Setting: exotic/orientalised Religion
Avis – The Bird	Deception Deceitful woman Animal tale Adultery Gullible husband Bird Talking bird Evidence False evidence of virtue Parrot Magpie Jealous husband Remorse Jealousy Misinterpretation
Balneator	Deception Humiliation Adultery Gullible husband Suicide Riches Money in exchange for promise of sex Woman tricked/coerced into sex Impotence anxiety Deceitful advisor Bathing Genitalia Lesson: greed Grief Mistaken or concealed identity Coerced sex Remorse
Caepulla	Father/son relationships Death of son Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deceitful woman Illness Medicine Murder Suicide Food and drink Evidence Grief Children Death Remorse
Canicula	Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Deceitful old woman Money in exchange for promise of sex Failed/rejected seduction Woman tricked/coerced into sex Old woman as go-between Dog Bodily transformation Body fluids Old woman Coerced sex Woman locked up/kept indoors Love (or lust) at first sight Window
Canis – The Faithful Dog	Father/son relationships Animal tale Violent punishment Familial relationships Evidence False evidence of unchastity/criminality Dog Lesson: haste Lesson: loyalty Serpent Children Violence Remorse Misinterpretation
Capsa	Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Deceitful lover Person concealed within a chest Woman locked up/kept indoors Concealed lover Love (or lust) at first sight Window
Cardamum	Father/daughter relationships Arranged marriage Chastity Religious conflict Islam Christianity Marriage Religious conversion
Caupona	Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Humiliation Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Disguise Food and drink Evidence Mistaken or concealed identity Misinterpretation
Corpus Delicti – The Discovered Corpse	Gullible (would-be) lover Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deceitful woman Animal tale Murder Adultery Disposal of corpse Multiple lovers Evidence Age versus youth Dog Poison Marriage Death of husband Foolish old man Old man Violence Death Women committing violence
Creditor	Deception Violent punishment (Threat of) bodily mutilation Debt Deception of would-be lover Money in exchange for promise of sex Impossible conditions Revenge Blood Cross dressing: woman in men’s clothes Cross dressing Marriage Mistaken or concealed identity Gender play Judgement Court of law Coerced Marriage
Curiositas	Animal tale Riches Marriage Grief Gender play Prohibtions/taboos Eagle Riding/carried by an animal Foolish old man
Cygni	Father/daughter relationships Deception Animal tale Violent punishment Gullible husband Deceitful old woman Childbirth Pregnancy Magical beings (spirits, demons, djinn, witches) Magic Food and drink Bird Woman tricked/coerced into sex Identity object Slander: wife falsely accused Bathing Bodily transformation Wicked stepmother/mother-in-law Rape Swan Necklace Mother/son relationships Marriage Mistaken or concealed identity Children Judgement Coerced Marriage Coerced sex Woman locked up/kept indoors Magic object
Dimidius amicus	Father/son relationships Deception Deceitful old man Riches Disposal of corpse Deceitful son Debt Wise old man Evidence False evidence of unchastity/criminality Friendship Mistaken or concealed identity Old man Violence Death Pig
Disputatio gestu	(Threat of) bodily mutilation Religious conflict Islam Christianity Evidence Military conflict Religion Misinterpretation
Elephantinus	Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Theft Food and drink Evidence False evidence of virtue Woman tricked/coerced into sex Dreams Rape Elephant Coerced sex Setting: nature Misinterpretation
Elephantus	Animal tale Violent punishment Elephant Riding/carried by an animal
Fatum – Fate
Filia	Father/daughter relationships Violent punishment Pregnancy Familial duty Unjust execution Beating
Filius	Father/son relationships Murder Adultery Gullible husband Orientalised setting Deceitful son Patricide Marriage Death of husband Children Wise child Judgement
Filius Profusus	Father/son relationships Deception Humiliation Familial relationships Riches Theft Deceitful son Debt Wise old woman Age versus youth Mother/son relationships Old woman Foolish old man Old man Profligate with wealth Spendthrift sons
Filius ingratus	Father/son relationships Familial relationships Riches Childbirth Pregnancy Familial duty Magic Food and drink Lesson: greed Age versus youth Bodily transformation Lesson: loyalty Serpent Grief Children Foolish old man Old man Remorse
Fons	Deception Pregnancy Magical beings (spirits, demons, djinn, witches) Magic Cross dressing Deceitful advisor Genitalia Bodily transformation Sex change Cross dressing: man in women’s clothes Marriage Gender play
Fur et Luna	Deception Violent punishment Murder Riches Magic Theft Punishment for theft Overheard secret Beating Magic spell Misinterpretation
Gaza – The Treasure	Father/son relationships Deception Familial relationships Murder Riches (Threat of) bodily mutilation Familial duty Disposal of corpse Theft Punishment for theft Patricide Beheading Grief Mistaken or concealed identity Misinterpretation Profligate with wealth
Gibbosi	Deception Deceitful woman Accidental death Adultery Disposal of corpse Hunchback
Gladius – The Drawn Sword	Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Multiple lovers Sword Love (or lust) at first sight Misinterpretation
Heres Regni	Father/son relationships Deception Illegitimacy Murder Adultery Childbirth Pregnancy Disguise Disposal of corpse Deceitful son Patricide Dynastic marriage Imprisonment Revenge Cross dressing Beheading Islam Age versus youth Cross dressing: man in women’s clothes Marriage Woman locked up/kept indoors Setting: exotic/orientalised
Holofernes	Biblical narrative Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Deceitful woman Murder Deception of would-be lover Beheading
Imago – The Goldsmith and the Dancer's Portrait	Deception Violent punishment Riches Magical beings (spirits, demons, djinn, witches) Imprisonment Money in exchange for promise of sex Deceitful lover Woman tricked/coerced into sex Identity object False evidence of unchastity/criminality Slander: wife falsely accused Mistaken or concealed identity Coerced sex Woman locked up/kept indoors Violence Misinterpretation Abduction
Inclusa – The Imprisoned Wife	Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Imprisonment Evidence False evidence of virtue Identity object Ring Marriage Mistaken or concealed identity Woman locked up/kept indoors Misinterpretation Trick in plain sight
Ingenia	Gullible (would-be) lover Deception Deceitful woman Adultery
Ingenia 2	Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Riches Deceitful lover Jealous husband Humour Admission of trick framed as a joke Jealousy
Ingenia 4	Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Cross dressing Evidence False evidence of virtue Identity object Clothes Beating Cross dressing: man in women’s clothes Gender play Foolish old man Old man Violence Orchard Misinterpretation Trees
Innocua	Animal tale Violent punishment Riches Theft Punishment for theft Bird Imprisonment False evidence of unchastity/criminality Beating Magpie
Iuvenis Femina	Deception Adultery Deceitful old woman Disguise Cross dressing Deceitful lover Woman tricked/coerced into sex Old woman as go-between Cross dressing: man in women’s clothes Rape Mistaken or concealed identity Gender play Old woman Coerced sex Misinterpretation
Jusjurandum	Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Evidence False evidence of virtue Body fluids Mistaken or concealed identity Judgement Jealous husband Jealousy Misinterpretation Semen
Lac venenatum	Animal tale Food and drink Bird Serpent Poison
Latronis Filii	Father/son relationships Deception Riches (Threat of) bodily mutilation Cannibalism Disguise Disposal of corpse Magical beings (spirits, demons, djinn, witches) Theft Punishment for theft Imprisonment Caves and underground spaces Blindness Judgement Court of law
Lavator	Father/son relationships Accidental death Familial relationships
Leo	Familial relationships Adultery Failed/rejected seduction Evidence False evidence of unchastity/criminality Slander: wife falsely accused Lion Misinterpretation
Lepus	Animal tale Rabbit Violent punishment
Linteum – Bedsheets	Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Deceitful woman Familial relationships Adultery Gullible husband Admission of trick framed as a joke Concealed lover Cat
Medicus – The Doctor	Familial relationships Illness Medicine Illegitimacy Deceitful old man Murder Age versus youth Mistaken or concealed identity Old man Violence Jealousy
Mel	Animal tale Violent punishment (Threat of) bodily mutilation Food and drink Beating Dog Weasel
Mercator	Deception Deceitful woman Murder Adultery Gullible husband Suicide Evidence False evidence of unchastity/criminality Rape Friendship Grief Remorse Misinterpretation
Metellus et Caesar	Humiliation Riches Theft Military conflict Grief Remorse Cowardice
Mucius Scaevola	(Threat of) bodily mutilation Military conflict Violence City besieged
Nasus praemorsus	Father/son relationships Violent punishment Familial relationships Riches (Threat of) bodily mutilation Theft Punishment for theft Debt Grief Judgement Court of law Profligate with wealth Spendthrift sons
Nepos	Father/son relationships Familial relationships Riches Familial duty Clothes Lesson: greed Age versus youth Lesson: loyalty Children Wise child Old man Remorse
Nomina	(Threat of) bodily mutilation Magical beings (spirits, demons, djinn, witches) Magic Impotence anxiety Genitalia Bodily transformation Sex change Gender play
Noverca	Father/son relationships Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Deceitful woman Violent punishment Familial relationships Murder Gullible husband Riches Theft Punishment for theft Unjust execution Revenge Evidence False evidence of unchastity/criminality Wicked stepmother/mother-in-law Marriage Children Misinterpretation
Nutrix	Deception Familial relationships Illegitimacy Deceitful old man Murder Deceitful old woman Riches Childbirth Pregnancy (Threat of) bodily mutilation Familial duty Blindness Evidence False evidence of virtue Poison Mistaken or concealed identity Children Old woman Judgement Court of law Member of Clergy Adoption Violence Misinterpretation
Pallium	Deception Violent punishment Adultery Gullible husband Deceitful old woman Failed/rejected seduction Deceitful lover Evidence Woman tricked/coerced into sex Identity object False evidence of unchastity/criminality Clothes Old woman as go-between Beating Rape Old woman Coerced sex Misinterpretation Abduction
Panes	Deception Illness Medicine Food and drink Body fluids
Papirius	Father/son relationships Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Deceitful woman Familial relationships Adultery Gullible husband Disguise Multiple lovers Cross dressing Old woman as go-between Age versus youth Wicked stepmother/mother-in-law Cross dressing: man in women’s clothes Children Wise child Gender play Court of law Concealed lover Love (or lust) at first sight Misinterpretation
Parricida	Father/son relationships Deception Familial relationships Illness Medicine Murder Riches (Threat of) bodily mutilation Disposal of corpse Food and drink Deceitful son Patricide Age versus youth Boar Foolish old man Old man Profligate with wealth Spendthrift sons
Pirus incantata	Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Magic Food and drink Nature tale: tree Setting: nature Orchard Humour Concealed lover Climbing trees
Piscis	Animal tale Riches Impossible conditions Genitalia Sex change Fish Gender play
Polyphemus	Father/son relationships Deception Illness Medicine Murder Riches (Threat of) bodily mutilation Cannibalism Disguise Magical beings (spirits, demons, djinn, witches) Magic Theft Punishment for theft Food and drink Imprisonment Revenge Blindness Ring Magic object Disability Sheep Gluttony Abduction
Praeceptum galli	Animal tale Violent punishment Illness Magic Rooster Food and drink Bird Talking bird Overheard secret Beating Serpent
Puer 3 annorum	Adultery Food and drink Children Wise child
Puer 5 annorum	Deception Riches Theft Punishment for theft Food and drink Bathing Children Wise child Old woman Judgement Court of law
Puer Adoptatus – The Adopted Son	Father/son relationships Deception Familial relationships Murder Deceitful son Patricide Debt Unjust execution Beheading Assassination Evidence False evidence of unchastity/criminality Slander: wife falsely accused Lesson: greed Age versus youth Rape Marriage Grief Children Foolish old man Old man Adoption Coerced sex Death Pride Misinterpretation Spendthrift sons Abduction
Puteus – The Well	Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Humiliation Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Suicide Woman locked up/kept indoors
Ramus	Father/son relationships Theft Nature tale: tree Setting: nature Orchard Climbing trees
Regina	Deception Violent punishment Murder Adultery Disposal of corpse Failed/rejected seduction Revenge Deceitful lover Evidence False evidence of unchastity/criminality Slander: wife falsely accused Deceitful advisor Dog Dwarf Judgement Setting: nature Misinterpretation Judicial duel
Roma and Lupus	Animal tale Deceitful old man Imprisonment Wise old man Dog Lesson: loyalty Military conflict Judgement Old man Setting: exotic/orientalised Wolf Sheep City besieged
Roma – Rome Besieged	Deception Deceitful old man Disguise Magic Religious conflict Islam Christianity Wise old man Military conflict Mistaken or concealed identity Old man Religion City besieged
Samson	Biblical narrative Gullible (would-be) lover Deception Humiliation Deceitful woman Violent punishment Murder Suicide (Threat of) bodily mutilation Imprisonment Deception of would-be lover Blindness Bodily transformation Grief Pride
Sapientes – The Wise Men	Deception Violent punishment Murder Riches (Threat of) bodily mutilation Disposal of corpse Magic Caves and underground spaces Beheading Blindness Evidence Deceitful advisor Age versus youth Wise child Death
Seductor	Chastity Deception Violent punishment Adultery Food and drink Failed/rejected seduction Revenge Deceitful lover Evidence Woman tricked/coerced into sex False evidence of unchastity/criminality Beating Body fluids Judgement Jealous husband Jealousy Misinterpretation Semen
Senes	Father/son relationships Deception Violent punishment Familial relationships Murder Familial duty Disposal of corpse Patricide Imprisonment Impossible conditions Revenge Beating Age versus youth Dog Judgement Court of law Death
Senescalcus and Roma – The Steward, and Rome Beseiged	Deception Illness Medicine Adultery Riches Disguise Magic Money in exchange for promise of sex Religious conflict Wise old man Impotence anxiety Deceitful advisor Lesson: greed Military conflict Homosexuality Mistaken or concealed identity City besieged Misinterpretation
Senescalcus – The Seneschal	Deception Humiliation Illness Medicine Adultery Riches Disguise Money in exchange for promise of sex Woman tricked/coerced into sex Impotence anxiety Deceitful advisor Genitalia Homosexuality Mistaken or concealed identity Remorse
Senex Caecus	Deception Riches (Threat of) bodily mutilation Overheard secret Debt Impossible conditions Wise old woman Wise old man Blindness
Simia	Animal tale (Threat of) bodily mutilation Theft Genitalia Monkey Lion Mistaken or concealed identity Riding/carried by an animal Setting: nature Climbing trees Cowardice Misinterpretation
Spurius	Father/son relationships Deception Deceitful woman Familial relationships Illegitimacy Murder Adultery Childbirth Pregnancy Orientalised setting Patricide Imprisonment Revenge Religious conflict Islam Christianity Age versus youth Military conflict Mistaken or concealed identity Religion Religious conversion Jealousy
Striga and Fons – The Witch and the Fountain	Deception Deceitful woman Magical beings (spirits, demons, djinn, witches) Magic Overheard secret Cross dressing Deceitful advisor Genitalia Bodily transformation Sex change Cross dressing: man in women’s clothes Mistaken or concealed identity Gender play
Striga – The Prince and the Ogress	Deception Deceitful woman Disguise Magical beings (spirits, demons, djinn, witches) Magic Overheard secret Deceitful advisor Bodily transformation Mistaken or concealed identity Setting: nature Religion Fear
Striges – The Bandit and the Demons	Deception (Threat of) bodily mutilation Cannibalism Disguise Disposal of corpse Magical beings (spirits, demons, djinn, witches) Magic Rooster Theft Punishment for theft Food and drink Mistaken or concealed identity Children Misinterpretation
Sylwius	Father/son relationships Deception Familial relationships Murder Familial duty Deceitful son Patricide Unjust execution Revenge Evidence False evidence of unchastity/criminality Age versus youth Military conflict Court of law Adoption Death Pride Misinterpretation
Tentamina – The Test	Violent punishment Adultery Revenge Blood Age versus youth Dog Nature tale: tree Mother/daughter relationships Old man Violence Women committing violence Trees
Tergi	Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Humiliation Deceitful woman Illness Medicine Adultery Gullible husband Pregnancy Disguise Deceitful lover Body fluids Mistaken or concealed identity Humour Concealed lover Misinterpretation Trick in plain sight Semen
Thesaurus in puteo	Father/son relationships Deception Familial relationships Murder Riches Deceitful son Patricide
Tonstrix	Chastity Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Deceitful woman Violent punishment Adultery Gullible husband (Threat of) bodily mutilation Disguise Food and drink Multiple lovers Cross dressing: woman in men’s clothes Cross dressing Deceitful lover Evidence False evidence of virtue Clothes Cross dressing: man in women’s clothes Homosexuality Marriage Gender play Member of Clergy Jealous husband Woman locked up/kept indoors Violence Jealousy
Turdi – The Gluttonous Wife and the Nine Thrushes	Lesson: women’s cleverness and deceit Deception Deceitful woman Animal tale Violent punishment Gullible husband Food and drink Lesson: greed Beating Violence Women committing violence Cat Gluttony
Turtures	Animal tale Violent punishment Murder Suicide Food and drink Bird Evidence False evidence of unchastity/criminality Slander: wife falsely accused Lesson: haste Grief Death Remorse Misinterpretation
Vadium	Chastity Deception Violent punishment Murder Adultery Riches Failed/rejected seduction Deceitful lover Evidence Identity object Ring Person concealed within a chest False evidence of unchastity/criminality Slander: wife falsely accused Clothes Member of Clergy Jealous husband Concealed lover Misinterpretation
Vaticinium 1	Deceitful woman Animal tale Adultery Gullible husband Magic Food and drink Bird Talking bird Deceitful lover Woman tricked/coerced into sex Nature tale: tree Setting: nature Orchard Misinterpretation Trees
Vaticinium and Amici	Chastity Father/son relationships Deception Animal tale Familial relationships Illness Medicine Riches (Threat of) bodily mutilation Disguise Magic Food and drink Bird Talking bird Dynastic marriage Overheard secret Impossible conditions Blood Identity object Ring Bathing Dreams Bodily transformation Friendship Sword Poison Body fluids Marriage Mistaken or concealed identity Children Judgement Court of law Death Misinterpretation Judicial duel
Vaticinium – The Prophecy	Father/son relationships Animal tale Familial relationships Murder Riches Disguise Magic Food and drink Bird Talking bird Dynastic marriage Overheard secret Mistaken or concealed identity Children Wise child Violence
Vidua – The Widow	Deception Deceitful woman Suicide (Threat of) bodily mutilation Disposal of corpse Punishment for theft Blood Evidence Marriage Death of husband Grief Violence Women committing violence
Viduae Filius	Father/son relationships Death of son Violent punishment Familial relationships Murder Rooster Bird Debt Revenge Mother/son relationships Military conflict Grief Children Judgement Adoption Violence Death Hawk
Virgilius – Virgil's Marvels	Deception Violent punishment Murder Riches Magic Theft Evidence Military conflict Mistaken or concealed identity Magic object City besieged Misinterpretation Trick in plain sight
Voluptaria	Violent punishment Accidental death Murder Adultery Disguise Food and drink Imprisonment Death of lover Revenge Cross dressing: woman in men’s clothes Cross dressing Woman tricked/coerced into sex Bathing Genitalia Rape Sword Military conflict Poison Gender play Judgement Coerced sex Woman in 'male' role Women committing violence Abduction
Vulpes	Deception Animal tale (Threat of) bodily mutilation Beating Fox
Zelus – Zeal	Chastity Deception Murder Adultery Gullible husband Suicide (Threat of) bodily mutilation Unjust execution Revenge Evidence False evidence of unchastity/criminality Slander: wife falsely accused Beating Poison Marriage Grief Jealous husband Violence Death Remorse Jealousy Misinterpretation
Zuchara	Deception Deceitful woman Adultery Gullible husband Food and drink Money in exchange for promise of sex Deceitful lover Evidence False evidence of virtue Woman tricked/coerced into sex Coerced sex Misinterpretation