Jews and Godfearers at Aphrodisias

Greek Inscriptions with Commentary

J. Reynolds, R. F. Tannenbaum

• Publisher: Cambridge Philological Society
• Year: 2020
• eBook ISBN:
  9781913701185
• Topic: Geschichte
• Subtopic: Geschichte der griechischen Antike

This book presents a recently discovered inscription from Aphrodisias in western Turkey, probably of the third century AD, which throws unusual light on the history of the Jewish diaspora, on the background to early Christianity, and on the society of a Greco-Roman city below the level of its elite, who normally dominate the evidence. The inscription records a charitable donation to a synagogue community by Jews (including a few proselytes) and a category of men described as theosebeis, whom the authors interpret as gentiles with a serious interest in Judaism, like the 'God-fearers' of the Acts of the Apostles. These theosebeis range in status from city-councillors to fullers, and they reveal what kind of men were attracted by monotheism and its moral code; these men might also provide converts to Christianity. The text also reveals something of the professed ideals and activities of the donors: psalm-singing and law are prominent; the former sheds light on the history of Christian liturgy. Aphrodisias was not previously known to have had a Jewish community.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of Illustrations
• Preface and Acknowledgments
• Bibliographical Abbreviations
• Epigraphic Conventions
• Introduction
• Chapter I: The Principal Inscription: The Stone and its Texts
• Chapter II: The Principal Inscription: Date and Purpose
• Chapter III: Commentary: The Jewish Institutions
• Chapter IV: Historical Significance
• Chapter V: Commentary: The Personal Names
• Chapter VI: Commentary: The Trade-Designations
• Chapter VII: The Society and Economy of Aphrodisias
• Appendix: Other Jewish Inscriptions and Graffiti at Aphrodisias
• Index of Greek Words Used in the Inscriptions
• Back Cover