Artificial intelligence (AI) is making significant strides in historical research, as evidenced by a recent study analyzing the Res Gestae Divi Augusti (RGDA), a renowned Latin inscription that chronicles the achievements of Emperor Augustus. Researchers utilized an advanced AI system named Aeneas to uncover new insights about the inscription, which was historically inscribed on bronze pillars in Rome and replicated across the Roman Empire. The study, published in Nature, revealed that the RGDA shares profound linguistic similarities with Roman legal documents, reflecting an intricate language of imperial political discourse aimed at consolidating imperial power—knowledge that had previously gone unnoticed by human historians.
Aeneas is built on foundational work developed by researchers at Google DeepMind, particularly in the creation of Ithaca, an AI system designed for parsing ancient Greek texts. Aeneas uses a generative neural network architecture to identify parallels within a specialized database of Latin inscriptions. This capability allows human scholars to interpret, attribute, and restore fragmented Latin texts more effectively by employing both textual and visual analysis. The researchers noted a distinct improvement in the speed and accuracy of epigraphers—historians who focus on inscriptions—when assisted by the AI, making it a groundbreaking tool for studying ancient texts.
In this particular case with the RGDA, Aeneas identified parallels with other Roman texts from the years 10 B.C. to 1 B.C. and A.D. 10 to A.D. 20, which coincides with the time around Augustus’s death in A.D. 14. This finding illuminates ongoing debates among historians regarding the composition date of the RGDA and underscores the significance of AI in contextualizing historical disputes. The researchers found it exhilarating that Aeneas not only offered insights into the inscription itself but also modeled scholarly debates effectively, thus validating its application in historical research.
The implications of integrating AI systems like Aeneas into historical methodologies are vast. Classical historians acknowledged that tasks traditionally associated with analyzing inscriptions can be immensely time-consuming, and the assistance of AI systems enables researchers to redirect their efforts toward forming deeper connections across the ancient world. This integration promises a transformative shift in historical scholarship, allowing for broader explorations of ancient thoughts, languages, and societal frameworks based on primary inscriptions.
Moreover, the study showcased a new approach to modeling uncertainty in historical research. The results from Aeneas not only expanded the understanding of the RGDA inscription but also represented a paradigm shift in how historians can leverage technology to manage historical uncertainties more effectively. The collaboration between AI and human expertise is essential, signaling that while technology can significantly enhance efficiency, it cannot replace the nuanced interpretation that human scholars bring to the analysis of historical texts.
In summary, the application of AI in historical studies, as demonstrated by the analysis of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, exemplifies the exciting potential of technology to reshape our understanding of the past. As researchers continue to refine AI systems like Aeneas, the fusion of artificial intelligence and traditional methodologies promises to enrich the historical discourse, fostering a deeper appreciation of ancient civilizations through the lens of their inscriptions.
