Author ORCID Identifier

0009-0009-9802-5874

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Spring 5-6-2026

Keywords

Priene synagogue, Late antiquity, Judiac Studies, Archaeology, Urbanism

Degree Name

Classical Civilization (BA)

Department

CLASSICAL & NEAR EASTERN STUDIES

First Advisor

Jeffrey Becker

Abstract

The late antique synagogue of Priene, like other synagogues in the region and potentially beyond, acted as an “urban center” for the community it served. I argue that the urban context of diaspora synagogues like the Priene synagogue has been under explored, and that analysis of Jewish communities within their changing urban contexts reveals the place of Jewish communities within late antique society. Synagogues served multiple functions for their communities, some visible from archaeological evidence and other known from textual evidence. The Priene synagogue, for example, was laid out and artistically decorated to mark the central, sacred nave as separate from the outer mundane world, creating a shared religious experience. The Priene synagogue, like the synagogues in Sardis, Stobi, and Andriake, occupied important and public space within their cities. Walking distances between major sites, estimated with ArcGIS pro, reveals that synagogues were typically located on or near major commercial routes, suggesting a high level of integration in the urban fabric. Highly visible locations may have both bolstered the status of Jewish communities, but it may have also opened them up to hostility. Several synagogues were converted into churches and the Priene synagogue was likely abandoned some time before the rest of the lower city, potentially reflecting conflict.

Comments

Readers: Dr. Nate Andrade, Dr. Hilary Becker, and Dr. Jonathan Karp.

Download

Share

COinS