Ancient Synagogue of Gaza
Encyclopedia
The ancient synagogue of Gaza was built in 508 CE during the Byzantine
period and was discovered in 1965. It was located in the ancient port city of Gaza, then known as "Maiumas", currently the Rimal
district of Gaza City.
ian archaeologists discovered the site and announced they had uncovered a church. Later a mosaic of King David wearing a crown and playing a lyre, labelled in Hebrew
, was found. The mosaic was dated to 508-09 CE and measured 3 metres (9.8 ft) high by 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) wide. The Egyptian archaeologists stated that the mosaic was in fact a depiction of Orpheus
, a Greek mythological
figure who was commonly associated with David and commonly used in Byzantine art. Shortly after the mosaic's discovery, David's face was gouged out. When the Israelis captured the Gaza Strip
in the 1967 Six-Day War
, they brought what remained to the Israel Museum
and restored it.
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
period and was discovered in 1965. It was located in the ancient port city of Gaza, then known as "Maiumas", currently the Rimal
Rimal
Rimal or Remal is a district in Gaza located from the city center. Situated along the coastline, it has been considered the most prosperous neighborhood in Gaza. The main street that runs through Gaza, Omar Mukhtar Street runs northwest-southeast in the district and the main coastal road, Ahmad...
district of Gaza City.
Discovery
In 1965, EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian archaeologists discovered the site and announced they had uncovered a church. Later a mosaic of King David wearing a crown and playing a lyre, labelled in Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
, was found. The mosaic was dated to 508-09 CE and measured 3 metres (9.8 ft) high by 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) wide. The Egyptian archaeologists stated that the mosaic was in fact a depiction of Orpheus
Orpheus
Orpheus was a legendary musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek religion and myth. The major stories about him are centered on his ability to charm all living things and even stones with his music; his attempt to retrieve his wife from the underworld; and his death at the hands of those who...
, a Greek mythological
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
figure who was commonly associated with David and commonly used in Byzantine art. Shortly after the mosaic's discovery, David's face was gouged out. When the Israelis captured the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip
thumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
in the 1967 Six-Day War
Six-Day War
The Six-Day War , also known as the June War, 1967 Arab-Israeli War, or Third Arab-Israeli War, was fought between June 5 and 10, 1967, by Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt , Jordan, and Syria...
, they brought what remained to the Israel Museum
Israel Museum
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem was founded in 1965 as Israel's national museum. It is situated on a hill in the Givat Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem, near the Bible Lands Museum, the Knesset, the Israeli Supreme Court, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem....
and restored it.