Synagogue

Synagogue

ca. 244

November 6, 2014

5808

Bugbee, Gordon (photograph)

Single Built Works

Syrian Arab Republic (nation)

Qal‘at aş Şāliḩīyah (deserted settlement)

Imperial (Roman)

synagogues (buildings)

View of the synagogue at Dura Europos in Syria. "Dating from the end of the second century, the synagogue is the “earliest synagogue we know of, except for the ones in Israel,” according to Downey. Originally part of a house, the synagogue also had a “Hall of Assembly,” which may have contained a Torah niche. Interestingly, no artifacts, except for a small papyrus fragment, were found in the synagogue. The assumption, Downey says, “is that the people who worshiped there knew that the city was under siege and they took things, like the Torah rolls…out with them when and if they left the city.” The synagogue was renovated in the mid-3rd century; the remains from this era are the ones seen today. At the time of its construction, the synagogue was enlarged at the expense of the house; another residence was added on for extra space,"--Dura-Europos: Crossroad of Cultures, by Carly Silver from Archaeology Magazine online, August 11, 2010.

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GPB-ROM2-1554