Jewish Catacombs of Rome and the Synagogue Inscriptions
Vigna Randanini and Villa Torlonia — the graves of the community Paul wrote to
Found 1859 — Vigna Randanini catacomb found 1859 (explored by Raffaele Garrucci); Villa Torlonia catacombs found 1919; the Monteverde catacomb (1602, re-found 1904 by Nikolaus Müller) is now lost
Where Via Appia Antica (Vigna Randanini) and Via Nomentana (Villa Torlonia), Rome (Italy)
Dates from c. 100–400 CE (some burials possibly 1st century) · Roman Imperial · Roman Jews of Acts 28 and the Letter to the Romans
Now at Catacombs in situ (limited access); inscriptions in the Vatican Museums (Lapidario Ebraico), Museo Nazionale Romano, and Capitoline Museums
How Jewish Catacombs of Rome and the Synagogue Inscriptions was found
Six Jewish catacombs are known around Rome. Their roughly 600 Greek, Latin, and a few Hebrew epitaphs name eleven or more synagogues, including the 'Synagogue of the Hebrews' (Hebraioi), the 'Augustesians,' the 'Agrippesians,' and the 'Vernaclesians' (native-born).
What it is
Underground galleries with loculus graves, painted rooms with menorahs, lulav, ethrog, and shofar, and marble epitaphs. Most are in Greek, the language of Rome's Jews, and give titles such as archisynagogos, gerousiarch, and 'mother of the synagogue.'
Why it matters for the Bible
Romans 16 greets more than twenty people in Rome, several with Jewish names, and Acts 28:17 has Paul call 'the leaders of the Jews' together. The catacombs show that community: Greek-speaking, organised in many separate synagogues, using Jewish symbols proudly. The 'Synagogue of the Hebrews' likely marks the oldest group, whose members still called themselves Hebrews — the same word Paul used of himself. These are the neighbours and relatives of the first Roman believers.
The Hebrew word: me-no-RAH
מְנוֹרָה
מְנוֹרָה is pronounced me-no-RAH and means lampstand — the most common symbol in the catacombs (Strong's H4501).
People this discovery connects to
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
- Priscilla and Aquila — פְּרִיסְקִילָה וַעֲקִילַס (prees-KEE-lah vah-ah-kee-LAHS) — Latin Prisca; Aquila 'eagle' — Jews expelled from Rome
Places
- Rome — רוֹמִי (RO-mee) — Greek Rhome
Events
Paul meets the Jewish leaders of Rome · Greetings to the Roman house assemblies
Jewish Catacombs of Rome and the Synagogue Inscriptions in Scripture
Acts 18:2 Claudius' expulsion of Jews from Rome, the background to Aquila's move. (First mention of Aquila and Priscilla.)
Acts 28:17 Paul calls together the leaders of the Jews of Rome — the community buried here.
Romans 16:3-7 Greetings to Prisca, Aquila, Andronicus, and Junia, Jewish believers in Rome.
Questions people ask
What is Jewish Catacombs of Rome and the Synagogue Inscriptions?
Underground galleries with loculus graves, painted rooms with menorahs, lulav, ethrog, and shofar, and marble epitaphs. Most are in Greek, the language of Rome's Jews, and give titles such as archisynagogos, gerousiarch, and 'mother of the synagogue.'
When was Jewish Catacombs of Rome and the Synagogue Inscriptions discovered?
It was found in 1859 by Vigna Randanini catacomb found 1859 (explored by Raffaele Garrucci); Villa Torlonia catacombs found 1919; the Monteverde catacomb (1602, re-found 1904 by Nikolaus Müller) is now lost, at Via Appia Antica (Vigna Randanini) and Via Nomentana (Villa Torlonia), Rome.
Where is Jewish Catacombs of Rome and the Synagogue Inscriptions today?
Catacombs in situ (limited access); inscriptions in the Vatican Museums (Lapidario Ebraico), Museo Nazionale Romano, and Capitoline Museums.
Which Bible verses does Jewish Catacombs of Rome and the Synagogue Inscriptions relate to?
Acts 18:2, Acts 28:17, Romans 16:3-7.
Related discoveries
- אֲרוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁOstia SynagogueThe oldest synagogue building in Europe, at Rome's harbour town
- עִבְרִים'Synagogue of the Hebrews' Lintel (Corinth)Marble doorway block from a Jewish meeting house in Paul's Corinth
- יִרְאֵי אֱלֹהִיםAphrodisias 'God-fearers' SteleA donor list separating Jews, proselytes, and 'theosebeis' — the clearest proof of the God-fearers of Acts
- בֵּית הָאֲסוּרִיםMamertine Prison (Carcer Tullianum), RomeThe Forum dungeon where tradition holds Peter and Paul were held before death
- סוֹכֵןErastus Inscription (Corinth)Pavement laid by an aedile named Erastus — possibly Paul's friend the city treasurer
- עֵדSarcophagus of Paul at St Paul Outside the WallsThe Ostian Way tomb inscribed 'To Paul, apostle and martyr'
Sources
- H. J. Leon, The Jews of Ancient Rome (1960; updated 1995)
- Wikipedia, 'Vigna Randanini'
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