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Category Archives: Ostia
The Sarcophagus of the Muses from Isola Sacra: Manuscripts and Readers
I’ve written before about the reopening of the museum at Ostia Antica in 2024. One of my favorite displays there involves material from what is now known as Tomb E 200 from Isola Sacra–an interesting sarcophagus with equally interesting contents. … Continue reading
Posted in Archaeological context, desks, Ostia
Tagged archaeology, art-history, history, Ostia, papyrus, Roman history, Rome
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More on the mikveh at Ostia and Other Jewish Materials
In March I noted the announcement that a mikveh, a Jewish ritual bath, had reportedly been found in Ostia, the port city of ancient Rome. I had missed an article from the Times of Israel that adds some details to … Continue reading
A Newly Discovered mikveh at Ostia
At a press conference this afternoon in the archaeological park at Ostia Antica, it was announced that a mikveh, a Jewish ritual bath, has been discovered in the center of the ancient city. Ostia is well known to students of … Continue reading
Posted in Judaism, Ostia, Synagogues
Tagged ancient Judaism, Diaspora Judaism, Judaism, mikvah, mikveh, news, Ostia, Ostia synagogue, religion, Roman religion, synagogue
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The Newly Reopened Museum at Ostia Antica
In an earlier post, I mentioned that the museum at Ostia Antica has recently reopened after a long period of closure (I can’t recall now how many years it has been closed). I had a chance to visit last week, … Continue reading
Posted in Museums, Ostia
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A Relief from Portus showing a Writer at a Desk
Following up on my post about a relief showing writers at desks at Ostia, I should also mention a second artifact found in the same region. It is a relief uncovered in the nineteenth century at Portus (just north of … Continue reading
Posted in Codices, desks, Ostia, Tablets
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A Relief from Ostia Showing Writers at Desks
The museum at the archaeological park at Ostia Antica has reopened after many years of closure for renovations. The results are quite impressive, and I hope to have a chance to post some reflections about the museum itself soon, but … Continue reading
Posted in Archaeological context, Codices, desks, Ostia, Tablets
Tagged archaeology, Book History, books, copyists, desks, history, Ostia, Ostia Antica, Rome, scribes, tables, technology
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A Figurine of Venus Found in an Ancient Synagogue
The ancient synagogue in Rome’s port city of Ostia was uncovered by accident in the early 1960s during the construction of a highway between Rome and the newly built international airport in Fiumicino. The discovery of a Roman-era synagogue was … Continue reading
Posted in Archaeological context, Judaism, Ostia, Synagogues
Tagged ancient-judaism, archaeology, diaspora-judaism, history, Ostia, Ostia synagogue, Roman religion, Rome, Second temple Judaism, synagogue
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Variant Readings 