The Odyssey's mythological network

PLoS One. 2018 Jul 30;13(7):e0200703. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200703. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

In this work, we study the mythological network of Odyssey of Homer. We use ordinary statistical quantifiers in order to classify the network as real or fictional. We also introduce an analysis of communities which allows us to see how network properties shall emerge. We found that Odyssey can be classified both as real and fictional network. This statement is supported as far as mythological characters are removed, which results in a network with real properties. The community analysis indicated to us that there is a power-law relationship based on the max degree of each community. These results allow us to conclude that Odyssey might be an amalgam of myth and of historical facts, with communities playing a central role.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Community Networks / history*
  • History, Ancient
  • Humans
  • Jurisprudence
  • Male
  • Mythology*
  • Power, Psychological
  • Social Networking / history*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by 1) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) to PJM, and 2) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) to SESP.