The Synagogue at Sardis

The Synagogue at Sardis, discovered in 1962, is the largest known in the ancient world. It caused significant revision of previous assumptions about Judaism in the Roman Empire. This long-awaited, copiously illustrated volume discusses in detail the history of the building, its decoration, and the place of the Jewish community in society.

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The Synagogue at Sardis, discovered by the Harvard-Cornell expedition in 1962, is the largest synagogue known in the ancient world. Its great size, its location within a bath-gymnasium complex, its elaborate and expensive interior decorations, and the high status of many of the donors caused significant revision of previous assumptions about Judaism in the Roman Empire.

This long-awaited volume discusses in detail the history of the building, its decoration, and the place of the Jewish community in the larger society. Copiously illustrated with plans and photos, the book also includes catalogs of the decorative elements, coins, and other objects associated with this monumental religious space.