We presented our project idea to Roman law scholars at a roundtable discussion at SIHDA 2023 in Helsinki
The project team travelled to the 76e session de la Société Internationale Fernand De Visscher pour l’Histoire des Droits de l’Antiquité (SIHDA) held between 22-26 August 2023 to hold a roundtable discussion for Roman law scholars about our project idea. The session was chaired by Dr Benet Salway and took place at the University of Helsinki on 23 August 2023.
Members of the project team talked about different aspects of the project idea in ice-breaking lightning talks. Firstly, Giuseppe Di Donato illustrated the cultural background in which the Index interpolationum originated, delving into its historical antecedents and potential developments. This presentation highlighted how the varying fortunes of this work were influenced not solely by scientific factors, but also by political considerations, and how it is now both possible and appropriate to develop a digital version of this work. Subsequently, Joanna Kulawiak-Cyrankowska guided participants on an 'interpolation hunt', elucidating the fundamentals of textual criticism. Through some concrete instances, drawn from the Index interpolationum and relative to some fragments of Paulus, Ulpianus, and Modestinus, she demonstrated how to identify grammatical, contextual, and stylistic cues of interpolation. Finally, Marton Ribary proceeded to explain the database structure and the data entry system, describing some of the issues we had to tackle and the solutions adopted, as well as insisting on the various functionalities available, and the ones which could be implemented.
From left to right: Giuseppe Di Donato (Edinburgh Napier), Joanna Kulawiak-Cyrankowska (Lodz), Marton Ribary (Royal Holloway), and Benet Salway (University College London)
The session concluded with a feedback discussion, during which it was firstly asked what is the rationale in employing a model that does not restore texts per se, and what advantages may it offer. In response, it has been observed that the possible uses depend on the research question posed to the database. Whilst recognising that the mere identification of an interpolation does not guarantee the restoration of the ‘classical’ text, yet a critical approach is essential and, as the selection of (a specific version of) a text does constitute a choice, which, in turn, determines the possible interpretation of the text itself, it is necessary to make such a choice consciously. It is not necessary to label the preferred method as 'interpolationist': rather, it is a cautious, attentive, conscious reading of the text. Subsequently, in addressing the query regarding the inclusion of qualitative assessments in the new database for suggesting interpolations and the availability of a capable workforce, it was explained that the task has been gamified, fostering community participation, and that, contrary to initial assumptions, a workshop demonstrated that a basic level of expertise is sufficient, with students from diverse fields successfully contributing to the initial stages. Acknowledging the engagement with the papyrological community in response to another inquiry, we also recognised its expertise in crowdsourcing and the potential for leveraging this collaborative approach for valuable insights. It was finally commented that the waning significance of interpolationist arguments affects the capability of this project to attract attention and acceptance. It has been illustrated how the database consents to select specific scholars/works, and, consequently, exclude those deemed less reliable (such as “the late Beseler”). At any rate, the flexibility of a relational database allows for the growth of functionalities over time, through which we should be able to take into account any suggestion. In conclusion, it has been declared our intention to select a jurist and combine the careful reading approach with the palingenetic approach, to exhibit the impact of including or excluding interpolations, possibly exploring different timeframes within the interpolationist literature.
