Mosaic floor of a Jewish synagogue
<p>The mosaic decorated the floor of the Jewish synagogue of Aegina. Discovered in 1829 to the east of the “secret harbour” in the midst of an important quarter of the ancient city, the building has been excavated only in parts because of its modern superstructures. During the investigations remains of an older predecessor have been identified (hatched walls). Through the entrance in the West and an antechamber people reached the main hall which measured 13.50 to 7.60m. To the east, a raised apsis was annexed in which the shrine of the Torah was stored. Between apsis and main hall stood the reading desk (white-recess in the eastern mosaic-frame). For the purpose of preservation, the mosaic has been removed from its original context to its actual position. It displays the typical decoration - patterns of mosaic floors of the 4th century A.D. consisting of artistic geometric designs in a rich scale of colours. At the west side near the entrance, two constructive inscriptions are visible. They refer to the erection of the synagogue using revenues of the community and donations of its members, when Theodoros was head of the synagogue. The bedding of the mosaic took place when his homonymous son held the same position. Inscriptions: ΘΕΟΔΩΡΟΥ ΝΕΩ(Τ)ΕΡΟΥ ΦΡΟΝΤΙΖΟΝΤ(ΟΣ) [ΕΚ ΤΗΣ ΠΡ]Ο[Σ]ΟΔΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΣΥΝΑΓ(ΩΓΗΣ) ΕΜΟΥΣΩΘΗ. ΕΥΛΟΓΙΑ ΠΑΣΙΝ [ΤΟΙΣ ΕΙΣ]Ε[Ρ]Χ[Ο]ΜΕΝΟΙΣ
</p><p>ΘΕΟΔΩΡΟΣ ΑΡΧΙΣΥΝ[ΑΓΩΓΟΣ Φ]ΡΟΝΤΙΣΑΣ ΕΤΗ ΤΕΣΣΕΡΑ [ΦΘΑΡΕΙΣΑΝ] ΕΚ ΘΕΜΕΛΙΩΝ ΤΗΝ ΣΥΝΑΓ[ΩΓΗΝ] ΟΙΚΟΔΟΜΗΣΑ ΠΡΟΣΟΔΕΥ[ΘΗΣΑΝ] ΧΡΥΣΙΝ[Ο]Ι[Ρ]Ε’ ΚΑΙ ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΤΟΥ ΘΕ(ΟΥ) ΔΩΡΕΩΝ ΧΡΥΣΙΝΟΙ ΡΟ’
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Text: Inscription at the archaeological site.
<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:George_E._Koronaios" title="User:George E. Koronaios">George E. Koronaios</a>
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<span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>