AI Deciphers 2000-Year-Old Herculaneum Scroll: Unveiling Philodemus' Ethical Treatise
Using AI-powered 'virtual unwrapping', researchers have for the first time identified the title and author within a sealed Herculaneum scroll, PHerc. 172. The scroll has been confirmed as *On Vices* by the Greek philosopher Philodemus, an ethical treatise offering guidance on cultivating a virtuous life. This breakthrough, achieved by the Vesuvius Challenge and researchers from the University of Würzburg, earned them a $60,000 prize. While the author and title are clear, the scroll's precise place within the *On Vices* series (known to have at least 10 books) requires further investigation. This discovery offers valuable insights into Philodemus' ethical views and the complete *On Vices*, showcasing AI's transformative potential in humanities research.