The investigation of the psychological determinants of three Greek myth cycles brings out that each had an episode in which a mother-figure is a source of power. The myth cycles are those of Oedipus, Perseus, and Jason; the maternal power figures are the Sphinx, Medusa, and Medea. The method of myth analysis used is Arlow's. In all these myths of acquisition of

power the id wish is to incorporate orally the mother. Each myth refers to a different ontogenetic stage: 1, Oedipus-Sphinx (incipient individuation in the latter half of the first year), 2, Perseus-Medusa (phallic period), 3, Jason-Medea (during superego formation).