New light on Judaism in Asia Minor during Late Antiquity : Two Recently Identified Inscribed Menorahs

Abstract

Our knowledge of Judaism in Asia Minor during late antiquity is quite rich when compared with other areas of the Western Diaspora. Numerous archaeological remains of the Jewish presence in this region have been uncovered during this century.1 Among these are a number of images of seven-branched menorahs. Two of the menorahs that have been recovered, one from Priene and a second from Sardis, share a feature that until now has been unique to them. Under the lowest branches of each and flanking the stem are two spirals. Recently two more menorahs with spirals beneath their branches have been uncovered. The first, which is accompanied by two Greek inscriptions, is in secondary use in Iznik, ancient Nicaea. The second, of unknown provenance, is in the collection of Jonathan Rosen in New York. Both of these pieces have come to our attention in recent years. They will be presented in this essay.

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