ABSTRACT
The relation of the cults to the legend of Oedipus has been studied only for the purpose of showing the priority of one or the other. The reconstruction requires in the first place a demonstration of the independence of the cultic Oedipus from the Oedipus of poetry. The wandering of Oedipus is, of course, a part of the legend. It belongs to the narrative concerning Oedipus as distinguished from the cult of Oedipus. In literature, the name Oedipus is always explained by the mutilation of feet, i.e., in the narrative, the name follows the mutilation. In the case of Trophonius, Epikaste / Iocaste and Demeter serve the same function, and yet, as in the case of Oedipus, the legend of Trophonius has nothing to do with Demeter. The name Oedipus, which, like the name Melampus, is explained by an exposure story, is appropriate to a figure associated in cult with Demeter.
