PIRIDI
PIRIDI
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The PIRIDI project

PIRIDI is a research project on the Digital Humanities in continuous development. It is a space for exploration and reflection on how to organize and represent complex archaeological data for educational purposes. PIRIDI is an evolving idea without time limit, at the moment not tied to any institution. PIRIDI is an open access tool. PIRIDI makes available a set of smart tools designed for doing research.

What does PIRIDI mean?

The name PIRIDI is an acronym derived from Latin terms that capture the essence of the project: P(rosopographia) I(mperii) R(omani) I(nstrumentum) D(omesticum) I(nscriptum). It represents a collaborative database focused on creating a prosopography of individuals mentioned in Roman inscriptions found on domestic artifacts such as amphorae and other household items.

The project is dedicated to compiling and making accessible a comprehensive, well-structured database of inscriptions found on everyday Roman artifacts. These objects—often overlooked in traditional epigraphy—offer invaluable insights into ancient Roman social, economic, and cultural life.

By concentrating on these instrumenta domestica (household items and tools, including amphorae, lamps, and utensils), we strive to bridge the gap between archaeological materiality and epigraphic texts. This allows scholars and enthusiasts alike to explore the rich connections between objects, inscriptions, and people.

In doing so, PIRIDI advances digital humanities in classical studies by providing an open and adaptable platform that supports research, teaching, and public engagement.

Current Data Available in PIRIDI

QR code to support the PIRIDI project via Ko-fi PIRIDI currently provides open access to a relational database centered on the painted inscriptions (tituli picti) of Dressel 20 amphorae from Monte Testaccio (Rome). These amphorae, thoroughly studied by Dressel in CIL XV, represent the richest and most analytically complex epigraphic assemblage related to Roman amphorae in the entire Empire. This corpus was selected as the primary case study for designing and building the project's database structure, due to its exceptional abundance and intricate content.

This dataset forms both the starting point and the structural backbone for the database’s relational models.

As the project evolves, PIRIDI will progressively expand to include not only amphorae, but also other classes of Roman instrumenta inscripta. The database was purposefully designed with this versatility in mind, enabling future incorporation of inscriptions found on ceramics, metal objects, glassware, lamps, personal ornaments, and further domestic items.

How does it work?

The project is built upon five interconnected core engine services: Artifacts, Objects, Inscriptions, Prosopography, and Atlas. These services work together to provide a comprehensive analysis and visualization of historical data. Here's how they relate to each other:

  1. 1 Artifact
  2. 2 Objects
  3. 3 Inscriptions
  4. 4 Prosopography

Do I have to register to PIRIDI?

QR code to support the PIRIDI project via Ko-fi To fully utilize the data and functionalities of the PIRIDI project, registration is necessary.

While registration is free, we welcome any voluntary donations to support the project's ongoing costs. Your support ensures that PIRIDI remains a reliable and accessible resource for researchers and enthusiasts studying the prosopography of Roman Instrumenta Inscripta and ancient trade networks.

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What's new around here?

  • 2025-07-14: Launched the new version of the Piriidi project. This release introduces significant improvements in performance, user interface, and overall stability. Users can now enjoy a more intuitive experience and access new features designed to enhance productivity.