Short messages in Greek and Latin carved on scratched into a durable surface survived in large quantities and provide us with an invaluable source of information about the Mediterranean communities for over 1000 years. I study the role of inscriptions across the Graeco-Roman societies, their function and the message they convey. I use computer-assisted methods, such as text mining or machine learning to elucidate complex phenomena such as the diffusion of ideas or labour specialization.
