Ostia Synagogue

The synagogue of the ancient city of Ostia was found in 1961 and excavated in the following years and partially restored. The building was situated on the mouth of the Tiber.

Under construction is a relief found with a menorah ( seven-branched candelabra ) and lamps with the same design, which allowed the identification as a synagogue. The present ruins represent the construction of the fourth century, but it could be earlier phases are detected. The oldest dated the reign of Claudius ( 41-54 AD ); whether the building at the time already served as a synagogue, is unknown. L. M. White assumes that the building has undergone several stages of development. Like other well-known synagogues (such as the Synagogue of Dura Europos in Syria) was also created in Ostia from an existing predecessor. This first phase he dated to the end of the 1st century AD with the construction of Insulation complex at the end of the 1st century AD Only through a renovation in the middle of the 2nd century AD Chr / end of the 2nd century AD was made to the conversion of the building into a synagogue.

The building consists of a main hall with benches on three sides. He had a monumental entrance with four pillars and a triclinium. The main entrance is oriented to the southeast, so to Jerusalem.

The building is one of the most important surviving evidence for Judaism in ancient Italy.

Excavations

The remains of the ancient building were found in April 1961 during excavations under the direction of Maria Floriani Squarciapino. The actual excavations began in May of the same year. In June architraves came with Jewish symbols to light that allowed the identification as a synagogue. This excavation was limited mainly to the rising Mauwerk. The following year older phases were investigated. Now also adjacent walls were exposed.