Maths Meets Myths: Network Investigations of Ancient Narratives

TL;DR

This paper reviews a multidisciplinary project applying statistical physics and network theory to comparative mythology, highlighting insights from Irish epic analysis and the development of a new research subfield.

Contribution

It introduces a novel interdisciplinary approach combining physics and humanities to analyze ancient narratives through network investigations.

Findings

Quantitative analysis of Irish epic reveals new structural insights.

Application of network theory uncovers patterns in mythological narratives.

The project spurred the emergence of a new sub-discipline in science and humanities.

Abstract

Three years ago, we initiated a programme of research in which ideas and tools from statistical physics and network theory were applied to the field of comparative mythology. The eclecticism of the work, together with the perspectives it delivered, led to widespread media coverage and academic discussion. Here we review some aspects of the project, contextualised with a brief history of the long relationship between science and the humanities. We focus in particular on an Irish epic, summarising some of the outcomes of our quantitative investigation. We also describe the emergence of a new sub-discipline and our hopes for its future.