The article discusses the challenges and breakthroughs in deciphering ancient scrolls from Herculaneum, believed to be linked to Julius Caesar’s father-in-law. An unknown author cautions against excessive impulses, emphasizing the importance of phronesis, or “practical wisdom.” Brent Shields, a computer science professor, notes that the distance from classical culture feels diminished when reading these texts, which center on living a virtuous life. Despite past struggles to unravel carbonized scrolls, modern advancements like 3D X-ray technology and machine learning have made significant strides. In 2023, students managed to extract Greek letters from a virtually unsealed scroll, earning a $1 million prize and revealing the word “PURPLE.” Gianluca del Mastro, a papyrus expert, celebrates the ability to access ancient philosophical thoughts, marking a transformative moment in the study of these scrolls. Currently, researchers have deciphered only 10% of the texts, yet a new initiative offers a $1 million prize for anyone who can fully decode a scroll by next June.
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