Formal Modelling Approaches to Complexity Science in Roman Studies: A Manifesto

Abstract

Complexity science refers to the theoretical research perspectives and the formal modelling tools designed to study complex systems. A complex system consists of separate entities interacting following a set of (often simple) rules that collectively give rise to unexpected patterns featuring vastly different properties than the entities that produced them. In recent years a number of case studies have shown that such approaches have great potential for furthering our understanding of the past phenomena explored in Roman Studies. We argue complexity science and formal modelling have great potential for Roman Studies by offering four key advantages: (1) the ability to deal with emergent properties in complex Roman systems; (2) the means to formally specify theories about past Roman phenomena; (3) the power to test aspects of these theories as hypotheses using formal modelling approaches; and (4) the capacity to do all of this in a transparent, reproducible, and cumulative scientific framework. We present a ten-point manifesto that articulates arguments for the more common use in Roman Studies of perspectives, concepts and tools from the broader field of complexity science, which are complementary to empirical inductive approaches. There will be a need for constant constructive collaboration between Romanists with diverse fields of expertise in order to usefully embed complexity science and formal modelling in Roman Studies.

Tableware trade in the Roman East: Exploring cultural and economic transmission with agent-based modelling and approximate Bayesian computation

“…In this paper, we present an approach that explores theories addressing archaeological research questions, informed by a large archaeological data set. Such question-and data-driven selection of methodological and theoretical frameworks should become more widely applied in the historical disciplines and particularly in Roman Studies, where computational modelling is exceptionally rare [58]. We can similarly highlight the potential of archaeological data and research contexts to test social learning hypotheses at large temporal and geographical scales, which may enrich Cultural Evolution studies.…”

TRAC at 30: A Bibliometric Analysis of the TRAC Community

“…More recently, the TRAC thematic series has focused on specific theoretical strands, stemming directly from one or more sessions held at the conference. In addition, several multi-authored journal articles in TRAJ have brought focus to under-represented topics including the praxis of Roman archaeology (Weekes et al 2019) and modelling and complexity science (Brughmans et al 2019). Gardner (2016: 10) has recently argued that while TRAC's multi-vocality may have led to theoretical fragmentation, TRAC can act as a venue to turn diversity into renewed dialogue.…”

“…However, the overall number of multiauthored papers has increased in number since 2010, particularly in the years since the creation of TRAJ. Several recent multi-authored TRAJ articles have been produced from sessions held at the conference and represent the articles with the greatest number of co-authors (Brughmans et al 2019;Weekes et al 2019).…”

“…Positively, we are seeing the greater collaboration and innovation that Gardner (2016: 10) advocated on TRAC's 25 th anniversary. This is apparent through the three TRAC workshops held over the last five years (TRAC 2020b) and the reflexive publication style apparent in TRAJ, which in its short tenure has already seen the publication of two highly collaborative articles directly from TRAC conference sessions (Brughmans et al 2019;Weekes et al 2019). Together these improvements and the work of TRAC participants have enriched the diverse and cohesive community that TRAC is known for.…”

The spread of the cult of Asclepius in the context of the Roman army benefited from the presence of physicians: A spatial proximity analysis

“…Recently, the combination of established methods and formal approaches (e.g., network analysis, GIS, agent-based modeling, quantitative textual analysis) has demonstrated significant potential for the historiography of the ancient Mediterranean (and beyond) [8,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The present article follows this academic trend and reveals, by means of a GIS proximity analysis based on the platform of Roman transportation road network, specific spatial patterns in the worship of Asclepius in the military environment in the provinces along a portion of the border of the Roman Empire leading from Britannia to Moesia Inferior (i.e., Britannia, Germania Superior and Inferior, Raetia, Noricum, Pannonia Superior and Inferior, Dacia, and Moesia Superior and Inferior, Fig 1).…”