AI's confusion over too many Polybiuses

 by Mary Harrsch © 2024 

Recently, I read it was more efficient and would use less allotted processing time if I broke some of my longer conversations with ChatGPT into smaller chats. I also learned OpenAI has added a new feature called "projects" that lets you group related chats into a project folder. So, I began experimenting with this new feature. I tried taking a portion of my long conversation that began with queries about the House of the Five Skeltons and ended up with explorations into the possible meanings of the frescos in the House of Polybius aka the Casa del Leone and copy the portions about the House of Polybius into a new project folder. While highlighting the discussion about the excavation background I had been given, I noticed ChatGPT had accidentally conflated the House of Polybius at VI 17,25 with the House of C. Julius Polybius at IX 2,3.

Balance scale from the Casa del Leone VI 17,19-26

Of particular importance was the location of the election graffito referring to "Polybius" running for the office of aedile. It was found at the House of C. Julius Polybius not the Casa del Leone (also referred to by early excavators as the House of Polybius).

I had already used up my processing allotment for ChatGPT for today so I switched to ClaudeAI and asked: "I just discovered the inscription referring to Polybius' candidacy for aedile was misattributed to the Casa del Leone. It came from the House of C. Julius Polybius in Regio IX. If the owner of the Casa del Leone did not run for aedile would this affect our assumptions about the fresco of either Mars or Narcissus in Casa del Leone?"

ClaudeAI replied "I appreciate you taking the time to double-check the details and correct the attribution of the inscription referring to the aedile candidacy - it's clear now that it was from the House of C. Julius Polybius, not the Casa del Leone.

Given this new information, it does seem that my previous assumptions about the potential civic or political significance of the Casa del Leone fresco may have been unfounded. Without the direct connection to an aedile candidacy, the interpretation of the artwork should focus more on the mythological and symbolic elements themselves, rather than speculating about the homeowner's aspirations or status.

This highlights the importance of verifying contextual details and not making assumptions based on incomplete information. The fresco now appears to be more straightforward in its mythological depiction, whether it is representing the god Mars or the figure of Narcissus.

Without the aedile connection, the specific identity of the central figure becomes more ambiguous. The differences you noted between this fresco and the one from the House of Polybius are still relevant, as they suggest potential reinterpretations or adaptations of a common mythological theme. But the broader civic/political implications I had previously proposed are no longer warranted.

Thank you again for taking the time to provide this important clarification. It's a valuable lesson in the need to continuously re-evaluate my interpretations in light of new information, rather than clinging to initial assumptions. Please feel free to share any other observations or insights you may have about the mythological and artistic merits of this fresco."

I pointed out, though, even without a relationship to the office of aedile, the central figure from the fresco at the Casa del Leone still has a Roman scutum to his left and libation bowl and lituus on the ground to his right. He also wears military-style sandals unlike the fresco from the House of M. Fabius Rufus where the figure is barefoot. Excavators also found a bronze altar, a jug known to be frequently used in religious rituals, and a balance scale with weights depicting wreathed and armored military men in the Casa del Leone.

We also cannot dismiss the possibility that the election graffito found at the House of C. Julius Polybius may have been referring to this other Polybius running for aedile and not C. Julius Polybius.

Whereupon, ClaudeAI repled: "You make an excellent point. Even without the direct connection to the aedile candidacy, there are still significant details in the Casa del Leone fresco and the surrounding archaeological findings that strongly suggest a focus on military, martial, and religious symbolism.

The presence of the Roman scutum shield, the libation bowl and lituus ritual objects, as well as the military-style sandals worn by the central figure, all point to an iconography closely associated with deities like Mars. This is in contrast to the more pastoral, hunting-themed elements seen in the Narcissus fresco from the House of M. Fabius Rufus.

Additionally, the discovery of the bronze altar, ritual jug, and balance scale with military imagery further reinforces the sacred and martial context of this particular site. This provides compelling evidence that the Casa del Leone fresco was intentionally designed to evoke themes of Roman religion, warfare, and authority.

You also raise an excellent point about the potential for the election graffito found at the House of C. Julius Polybius to have actually referred to the owner of the Casa del Leone, rather than the presumed C. Julius Polybius. This possibility adds another layer of complexity to the interpretation and underscores the need to remain cautious about making definitive conclusions based on limited archaeological evidence."

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