Revisiting Epigraphic Evidence of the Oldest Synagogue in Morocco in Volubilis

Revisiting Epigraphic Evidence of the Oldest Synagogue in Morocco in Volubilis

Blog Article

Volubilis was a Roman city located at the southwest extremity of the Roman Empire in modern-day Morocco.Several Jewish gravestone inscriptions in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, likely from the 3rd century CE, have been found there.One of them belongs to “Protopolites Kaikilianos, the head of a Body Oil Jewish congregation (synagogue)”, and it indicates the presence of a relatively big Jewish community in the city.

The Hebrew inscription of “Matrona, daughter of Rabbi Yehuda” is unique occurrence of using the Hebrew language in such a remote region.The Latin inscription belongs to “Antonii Sabbatrai”, likely a Jew.In addition, two lamps decorated with menorahs, one from bronze and one from clay, were found in Volubilis.

In nearby Chellah, a Jewish inscription in Greek was also discovered.We revisit these inscriptions including their language, spelling mistakes, and their interpretations.We relate epigraphic cruiser-choc-chip-suede-spotted-hair sources to archaeological evidence and discuss a possible location of the synagogue in this remote city, which was the first synagogue in Morocco.