Synagogue in the Agora of Athens

Coordinates: 37°58′29″N 23°43′20″E / 37.9747°N 23.7222°E / 37.9747; 23.7222
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The Synagogue in the Agora of Athens is an ancient synagogue located in the Ancient Agora of Athens.

During an excavation in the summer of 1977, a piece of Pentelic marble apparently once part of a curvilinear frieze over a doorway or niche was discovered a few meters from the northeast corner of the Metroon.[1] The marble fragment is incised with the images of a seven-branched Menorah and a Lulav, or palm branch.[2] The synagogue is thought to date from the period between 267 and 396 CE.[1]

Biblical reference[edit]

The apostle Paul is said in the Book of Acts to have visited a synagogue in Athens.[3] The identity of that synagogue cannot be firmly established.[4]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Ancient Synagogues: Historical Analysis and Archaeological Discovery, Dan Urman, Paul Virgil McCracken Flesher Contributor Dan Urman, BRILL, 1998, pp. 125 ff.
  2. ^ Ancient Jewish Art and Archaeology in the Diaspora, Rachel Hachlili, BRILL, 1998, p. 323
  3. ^ Acts 17:17
  4. ^ The Book of the Acts, Frederick Fyvie Bruce, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1988, p. 329

37°58′29″N 23°43′20″E / 37.9747°N 23.7222°E / 37.9747; 23.7222