Ostia Synagogue

The Ostia Synagogue is an ancient synagogue located in ancient Ostia Antica , the seaport of Imperial Rome . It is one of the oldest synagogues in the world, the oldest synagogue in Europe and the oldest mainstream Jewish synagogue yet uncovered outside of Israel . The synagogue building dates from the reign of Claudius (41-54 CE) and continued in use as a synagogue into the fifth century CE. There is a scholarly debate about the status of the synagogue building in the first century CE, with some maintaining that the building began as a house only later converted to use as a synagogue, and others arguing that it was in use as a synagogue from the first century. In its earliest form, the synagogue featured a main hall with benches along three walls; a propyleum or monumental gateway featuring four marble columns; and a triclineum or dining room with couches along three walls. There was a water well and basin near the entryway for ritual washings. The main door of the synagogue faces the southeast, towards Jerusalem. An aedicula, to serve as a Torah Ark added in the fourth century CE. A donor inscription implies that it replaced an earlier wooden platform donated in the second century CE, which itself had been replaced by a newer Ark donated by one Mindus Faustus in the third century CE.

Detail of a menorah relief on a column The Ostia Synagogue is an ancient synagogue located in ancient Ostia Antica , the seaport of Imperial Rome . It is one of the oldest synagogues in the world, the oldest synagogue in Europe and the oldest mainstream Jewish synagogue yet uncovered outside of Israel . The synagogue building dates from the reign of Claudius (41-54 CE) and continued in use as a synagogue into the 5th century CE. There is a scholarly debate about the status of the synagogue building in the 1st century CE, with some maintaining that the building began as a house only later converted to use as a synagogue, and others arguing that it was in use as a synagogue from the 1st century. In its earliest form, the synagogue featured a main hall with benches along three walls; a propyleum or monumental gateway featuring four marble columns; and a triclineum or dining room with couches along three walls. There was a water well and basin near the entryway for ritual washings. The main door of the synagogue faces the southeast, towards Jerusalem. An aedicula, to serve as a Torah Ark added in the 4th century CE. A donor inscription implies that it replaced an earlier wooden platform donated in the 2nd century CE, which itself had been replaced by a newer Ark donated by one Mindus Faustus in the 3rd century CE.

Detail of a menorah relief on a column The Ostia Synagogue is an ancient synagogue located in ancient Ostia , the seaport of Imperial Rome . It is one of the oldest synagogues in the world, the oldest synagogue in Europe and the oldest mainstream Jewish synagogue yet uncovered outside Israel . The synagogue building dates from the reign of Claudius (41-54 AD) and continued in use as a synagogue into the 5th century AD. There is a scholarly debate about the status of the synagogue building in the 1st century AD, with some maintaining that the building began as a house only later converted to use as a synagogue, and others arguing that it was in use as a synagogue from the 1st century. In its earliest form, the synagogue featured a main hall with benches along three walls; a propylaeum or monumental gateway featuring four marble columns; and a triclinium or dining room with couches along three walls. There was a water well and basin near the entryway for ritual washings. The main door of the synagogue faces the southeast, towards Jerusalem . An aedicula , to serve as a Torah Ark , was added in the 4th century AD. A donor inscription implies that it replaced an earlier wooden platform donated in the 2nd century AD, which itself had been replaced by a newer Ark donated by one Mindus Faustus in the 3rd century AD.

Ancient synagogue in Rome, Italy The Ostia Synagogue is an ancient former Jewish synagogue and archaeological site , located in ancient Ostia , the seaport of Imperial Rome , in modern-day Lazio , in Italy . It is one of the oldest synagogues in the world, the oldest synagogue in Europe and the oldest mainstream Jewish synagogue yet uncovered outside the Land of Israel . The synagogue building dates from the reign of Claudius (41-54 AD ) and continued in use as a synagogue into the 5th century AD.