Speaker Details

Ms Rana   El-Zalabany
Researcher in the Calligraphy Center- Bibliotheca Alexandrina, MA student (The Alexandria Center for Hellenistic Studies – Alexandria University, Bibliotheca Alexandrina).

Presentation Abstract:

Berenice Inscriptions: Features of Jewish Synagogue

The Jewish institution – synagogue – existed, almost, wherever the Jews lived in the Hellenistic and Roman world. Each Jewish Diaspora community in that period has left a different variety of sources. Archaeological and literary evidence had been obtained from Cyrene, Egypt, Asia Minor, Greece, Italy, Syria, Mesopotamia and other lands. Although, there are no clues to where this institution originated, at which period and which historical, social or political factors determined its development. Additionally, the ancient Jewish synagogue is a subject of particular interest to scholars, probably, due the element of ‘mystery’ which surrounds it.

Berenice, today Bengazi, is located on the coast of western Cyrenaica, the historical name of the eastern region of Libya. Three inscriptions relating to the Jewish synagogue were found in Berenice. The earliest (CJZ 70) of these inscriptions is the most poorly preserved of the three. It dating back to the end of the first century BC, probably 8-6 BC. The second Berenice inscription (CJZ 71) is the best-known, as it is complete, dating back to 24-25 CE. The third one (CJZ 72) was discovered in 1938 and subsequently lost, but available now only as a photograph. It was executed under the Emperor Nero around 55 CE. Its photograph taken when it was in situ, the slab shows that it was found as part of the wall of the synagogue building.

The research paper aims to put these three Jewish inscriptions, wrote in ancient Greek language, in question. In this regard, the paper intend to present some features of the Jewish community existed in the land of Berenice, the North Africa city.