A quantitative approach to comparative mythology

Journal article

A new, quantitative approach to comparative mythology is introduced using methods developed in theoretical physics. The broad concept of universality has long been relevant to comparative mythology, in a qualitative sense, and it has been claimed that narratives from a variety of cultures may share certain similarities in terms of structure. A notion of universality also lies at the heart of network theory, a relatively new branch of statistical physics with wide applicability. Network theory permits quantitative comparisons of the interconnectedness underlying a multitude of structures relevant to many disciplines, from biology, chemistry and physics to sociology, economics and the computer sciences. Here we apply this theory to comparative mythology and study interrelationships of characters appearing in three iconic epic narratives: Beowulf, the Iliad and the Táin Bó Cúailnge. By comparing these amongst each other, as well as to real, fictitious and random networks, we seek to introduce a new, quantitative approach to the humanities. We show that each of the three epics has, to varying degrees, properties akin to those of real social networks.

Authors: Mac Carron, P; Kenna, R

• Publication status: Accepted
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Traditional Cosmology Society
• Journal: Cosmos
• Publication date: 2014-02-01
• Acceptance date: 2013-05-10
• ISSN: 0269-8773
• Keywords: statistical physics; universality; epics; networks; Táin Bó Cúailnge; Beowulf; Iliad