Zodiac mosaics in ancient synagogues
Zodiac mosaics in ancient synagogues are known from at least five examples from the
Inventory
The examples cited by Hachlili in 1977 are the synagogues at
Analysis
Some of the buildings' art was remarkably well-preserved, giving a window into the specifics of partially-lost traditions. The craftsmanship of these as well as of other unexpected historical Jewish art has been previously called "touchingly naive," "untutored," and even "primitive," but these critical dismissals are now[3] outdated.
In 1993, the most elaborate mosaic yet was
Hachlili[5] says Jewish communities "always used the same scheme for their floors." There are four figures (seasons) on the outer corners. Within is a roundel with twelve depictions. In the bullseye is a sun god with the appropriate horses-chariots imagery. Jodi Magness argues the sun god is Helios and to be identified with Metatron. [6]
The Beth Alpha example has been called one of Israel's great artistic treasures,[7]
so filled with feeling and so packed with information for scholars to study. It revolutionized ideas about ancient Jewish attitudes toward representational art, which many previously believed had been nonexistent.
Similar examples from Greece
The combination of zodiac signs grouped around Helios and with personifications of the four seasons in the corners is typical for ancient synagogues from
See also
- Ancient synagogues in Palestine
- Dendera temple complex, zodiac(ancient Egypt)
- Jewish views on astrology
- Historic synagogues
- Mazzaroth, Hebrew word with various meanings related to constellations, zodiac
External links
- Possibly the highest-quality version generally available of the header image may be found here
- Rarer sort of all-in-one photo of Zippori (Sepphoris) synagogue here
- Wiki Commons: Mosaic of the Maon synagogue
- "Zodiac Signs & the Four Symbolic Animals in Synagogue Art", photos of decorative motifs in East European synagogues: wheel of the zodiac and "the four animals"
Bibliography
- An overview mentioning all four. Hachlili, Rachel (1977). "The Zodiac in Ancient Jewish Art: Representation and Significance". Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research (228). American Schools of Oriental Research: 61–77. JSTOR 1356500. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- Magness, Jodi (2005). "Heaven on Earth: Helios and the Zodiac Cycle in Ancient Palestinian Synagogues". Dumbarton Oaks Papers. 59. Dumbarton Oaks, Trustees for Harvard University: 1–52. JSTOR 4128749. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
References
- ^ a b Hachlili 1977, pp. 61.
- ^ a b Hachlili, Rachel (2002). "The Zodiac in Ancient Jewish Synagogal Art: A Review". Jewish Studies Quarterly. 9 (3): 219–58 [219–20]. Retrieved 8 April 2024 – via JSTOR.
- ^ Chakovskaya, Lidia (2021-01-01). Rick Bonnie; Raimo Hakola; Ulla Tervahauta (eds.). "The Artistic Milieu of the Mosaic of the Beth Alpha Synagogue". The Synagogue in Ancient Palestine: Current Issues and Emerging Trends. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ "Jewish Worship, Pagan Symbols". Biblical Archaeology Society. 2023-07-16. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ Hachlili 1977, pp. 61–77.
- ^ Magness 2005, pp. 1–52.
- ^ "Bet Alpha Synagogue". Frommer's. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ a b c d e [Jacoby, Ruth. "The Four Seasons in Zodiac Mosaics: The Tallaras Baths in Astypalaea, Greece." Israel Exploration Journal, vol. 51, no. 2, 2001, pp. 225–30. JSTOR, {{|http://www.jstor.org/stable/27926977}}. Accessed 8 April 2024.]