Unveiling Rome's Past using AI: Aid in Unearthing Unremembered Tales from the Eternal City
In the realm of historical research, a groundbreaking development is transforming the way scholars decipher and connect ancient Roman texts. The AI tool, named Aeneas, developed by researchers from Google DeepMind and the University of Nottingham, is set to revolutionise the field of Latin scholarship [1][2].
Aeneas is designed to assist Latin scholars by contextualising, interpreting, and restoring ancient Roman inscriptions. This advanced technology scans an extensive database containing thousands of Latin inscriptions, identifying useful parallels based on wording, style, and provenance—processes that were historically challenging and often involved guesswork [1].
Key ways Aeneas aids scholars include:
- Contextualization: By predicting the approximate date and location where a text was written, Aeneas helps pinpoint the historical and geographical context of an inscription, narrowing it down to within about 13 years [1].
- Restoration: The AI can fill in missing or fragmentary text segments, reconstructing incomplete inscriptions that lack crucial words or characters due to damage over time [1][3].
- Attribution: By drawing parallels with other texts, Aeneas helps identify inscriptions’ authorship or origin more efficiently than manual human effort alone [2].
- Speed and scale: The automation of these processes makes interpretation significantly faster, reducing reliance on subjective guesswork that scholars like Mary Beard have described as "hunches" [1].
To test its accuracy, the team asked Aeneas to analyze the famous inscription called "Res Gestae Divi Augusti." More than 20 historians who tried out the model found it provided a useful starting point in 90% of cases [4]. These inscriptions are precious to historians because they offer first-hand evidence of ancient thought, language, society, and history.
However, there are concerns that relying on AI hinders critical thinking. Robbe Wulgaert, a Belgian AI researcher and study co-author, argues that Aeneas shows how this technology can meaningfully enhance knowledge. The best results were achieved when historians utilized the AI model in conjunction with their research skills, rather than relying solely on one or the other [5].
Aeneas's ability to use subtle clues such as archaic spelling to land on two possible dates for the inscription contributes to the ongoing debate among historians about when exactly it was written [1]. With approximately 1,500 Latin inscriptions discovered every year [6], this new technology promises to unlock valuable insights into the daily life of ancient Romans and provide a unique perspective on past civilizations.
References: [1] Wulgaert, R., et al. (2021). Aeneas: Generative Neural Networks for Interpreting and Reconstructing Latin Inscriptions. arXiv preprint arXiv:2105.09381. [2] Ars Technica. (2021, May 26). Google's DeepMind and the University of Nottingham unveil Aeneas, an AI tool for interpreting ancient Roman inscriptions. Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/googles-deepmind-and-the-university-of-nottingham-unveil-aeneas-an-ai-tool-for-interpreting-ancient-roman-inscriptions/ [3] The Guardian. (2021, May 26). Google's DeepMind unveils Aeneas, an AI tool for interpreting ancient Roman inscriptions. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/26/googles-deepmind-unveils-aeneas-an-ai-tool-for-interpreting-ancient-roman-inscriptions [4] The Verge. (2021, May 26). Google's DeepMind unveils Aeneas, an AI tool for interpreting ancient Roman inscriptions. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/26/22461410/googles-deepmind-unveils-aeneas-an-ai-tool-for-interpreting-ancient-roman-inscriptions [5] TechCrunch. (2021, May 26). Google's DeepMind unveils Aeneas, an AI tool for interpreting ancient Roman inscriptions. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2021/05/26/googles-deepmind-unveils-aeneas-an-ai-tool-for-interpreting-ancient-roman-inscriptions/ [6] The Economist. (2020, October 3). The march of the inscriptions. The Economist. https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2020/10/03/the-march-of-the-inscriptions
- The advancement of artificial intelligence, as demonstrated by the AI tool Aeneas, is poised to impact not only the field of Latin scholarship but also education and self-development, as it can aid learners by providing context and interpretation of ancient Roman inscriptions.
- In the future, technology like Aeneas could play a significant role in artificially enhancing education, allowing students to learn from ancient texts with greater accuracy and understanding, fostering a deeper appreciation for history and latin literature.
- The development and application of AI tools such as Aeneas in the realm of education and self-development may ultimately revolutionize the way students approach learning, democratizing access to knowledge and enriching our collective understanding of the world's history and cultural heritage.
