AI Tool Aeneas Deciphers Ancient Roman Inscriptions Across Empire

Aeneas, an AI tool developed partly by Google DeepMind and researchers including Dr. Thea Sommerschield, is revolutionizing the study of ancient Roman inscriptions by filling in missing words and providing contextual insights such as dating and geographic origin. This generative neural network was trained on extensive data from Roman texts spanning two millennia and helps historians piece together fragmented inscriptions, which are often damaged and of uncertain provenance. Experts highlight that these inscriptions provide invaluable first-hand evidence of ancient society across all social classes, making Aeneas a significant aid in historical research. While the technology accelerates the traditionally slow and subjective process of interpreting inscriptions, scholars emphasize that AI should be an assistant rather than a replacement for human expertise. Concerns remain about the risk of errors and distortion from AI analysis, but respected historians like Prof Dame Mary Beard view Aeneas as potentially transformative for expanding our understanding of human history. Overall, Aeneas exemplifies how blending advanced AI with traditional scholarship can unlock new horizons in historical study.