Lord Raglan was a myth ritualist who argued, regarding myth, that the "traditional narrative, both classical and medieval, . . . is derived in all its forms from dramatic ritual, never from historical fact" (Whicher, G. F. qtd. in "FitzRoy Raglan," par. 2). According to Raglan in The Hero: A Study in Tradition, Myth, and Drama, myths are the remaining artifacts of rituals (Raglan 126-7) often associated with the death and resurrection of kings who themselves represent gods (Raglan 150-1).

Two Ronin
Two of the most valiant of the 47 ronin: Horibe Yahei and
his adopted son, Horibe Yasubei opens in new window.
By Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) Wikipedia
In his study of myths, Raglan noticed patterns of similarity common to a variety of myths, and from this study developed a pattern of "typical incidents" ( Raglan 173-4):

  1. The hero's mother is a royal virgin.
  2. His father is a king, and
  3. Often a near relative of the mother, but
  4. The circumstances of his conception are unusual, and
  5. He is also reputed to be the son of a god.
  6. At birth an attempt is made, usually by his father or maternal grandfather, to kill him, but
  7. He is spirited away, and
  8. Reared by foster-parents in a far country.
  9. We are told nothing of his childhood, but
  10. On reaching manhood he returns or goes to his future kingdom.
  11. After a victory over the king and or giant, dragon, or wild beast,
  12. He marries a princess, often the daughter of his predecessor and
  13. Becomes king.
  14. For a time he reigns uneventfully, and
  15. Prescribes laws, but
  16. Later he loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects, and
  17. Is driven from from the throne and city, after which
  18. He meets with a mysterious death,
  19. Often at the top of a hill.
  20. His children, if any, do not succeed him.
  21. His body is not buried, but nevertheless
  22. He has one or more holy sepulchres.
    23. (Raglan 174-175)

Achilles
Achilles among the Daughters of Lycomedes opens in new window
Quellen, Erasmus II (b. 1607, Antwerpen, d. 1678, Antwerpen).
Oil on canvas, 220 x 240 cm Groeninge Museum, Bruges.
Wikipedia

Using this list, Raglan analyzed a variety of common hero stories and awarded points to each based on the number of incidents from his pattern which he found in them. The following is a partial list of his conclusions:

Oedipus - 22 points (Raglan 175)
Theseus - 20 points (Raglan 176)
Romulus - 18 points (Raglan 176)
Heracles - 17 points (Raglan 177)
Perseus - 18 points (Raglan 177)
Jason - 15 points (Raglan 178)
Bellerophon - 16 points (Raglan 178)
Dionysus - 19 points (Raglan 179)
Joseph - 12 points (Raglan 180)
Moses - 20 points (Raglan 181)
Sigurd -11 points (Raglan 183)
Arthur - 19 points (Raglan 184)

Raglan argued that, of all the historical persons he investigated, none earned more than six points except Alexander the Great, who earned seven (Raglan 184-5). Given that both the Old Testament figures of Moses and Joseph earn significantly more than seven points, this statement cast doubt on the historicity of these figures, creating controversy among conservative Christians. This controversy becomes more heated when Raglan's scale is applied to Christ, who earns 19 points.

Setting aside this controversy, Raglan's scale is still a useful tool for the comparative analysis of myth and reveals the commonalities among the various heroes of many cultures and times.