THE OEDIPUS MYTH AS MATHEMATICAL ALLEGORY

Abstract

We posit that, for many ancient thinkers, mathematical allegory was a fundamental theoretical construct in their understanding of the universe. The procedure is to establish a noteworthy mathematical structure which suggests certain physical or social applications (interpretations). We illustrate the method in regard to the Oedipus myth. Thus, we use the practice of measuring with stretched ropes to elaborate, via Pythagorean number theory, an alternative classification of triangles to that of Euclid and show how to make a perspicuous geometric representation of triangles so classified. The representation obtained is seen to bea primitive astral map, whose salient features, especially when considered in light of the macrocosm/microcosm analogy, suggest to the poetic imagination details of the Oedipus myth. Oedipus’ destiny would have been determined by casting lots on the astral map. Apparently his lot fell where “three roads meet,” which can then be interpreted as showing that the Oedipus myth (as well as Sophocles play Oedipus Rex) was understood to be a version of the Green Child myth.