Google creates AI tool that fills missing words in Roman inscriptions

Google creates AI tool that fills missing words in Roman inscriptions
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Google DeepMind has created an artificial intelligence tool named Aeneas to assist historians in interpreting and restoring ancient Roman inscriptions, The Guardian reported. These inscriptions, which range from monumental texts to everyday records such as decrees, graffiti, epitaphs, and business documents, are vital sources of historical information written by people across all social classes in the ancient world.

Aeneas, developed in collaboration with historians including Dr. Thea Sommerschield from the University of Nottingham, is trained on a vast database of nearly 200,000 inscriptions containing 16 million characters. The AI analyzes text and images from inscriptions, identifying historical links and grouping texts by province and date with an accuracy of within 13 years.

The tool also proposes possible words to fill gaps caused by damage or erosion. In tests, Aeneas analyzed the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, a monumental inscription detailing Emperor Augustus’s achievements, suggesting two potential date ranges that align with ongoing scholarly debates. It also revealed linguistic connections between votive altars in ancient Germany, demonstrating its ability to uncover subtle historical influences.

Aeneas is now available online, promising to revolutionize the study of fragmentary Latin texts and ancient history.