The Sisyphean Gambler

[Alan Mendelson]

In the Sisyphus story, gravity substitutes for "the math." I think that's the gist of the article.

That is an excellent interpretation. Back in high school, there were other analogies: a good politician trying to get something done in a world of corruption; an entrepreneur unable to break the grip of the oligopoly; and so forth.

The ancient myths were a way to teach lessons to the people of that day. Later, there were new interpretations and applications. They didn't have casino gambling back then, but they did cast lots and I think they rolled bones.

edit: I forgot: betting on the gladiators was a big thing. I have in my collection of old casino chips a 2-drachma ticket on Antonius Miraculous in the third. I also have a 2-drachma Trifecta on Armenius, Arcadacius and Antonius, but if I recall it was Antonius who lost by a nose, and then an arm.