Increase of complexity from classical Greek to Latin poetry

Abstract

In this paper we develop a method to analyze the increase of complexity from classical Greek poetry to classical Latin poetry by mapping large samples of those poetry onto a symbolic time series. This mapping setup intends characterize regular succession of rhythms, that is, the patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables in a verse. Using techniques from information theory, more precisely, certain Renyi entropy we show how the rhythmical patterns in Greek poetry evolve to more complex behavior in Latin poetry. Some interesting results are reported.