Near Sart in Salihli, Manisa, Turkey — West Asia or Southeast Europe
Synagogue - Main Hall
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018
1. Synagogue - Main Hall Marker
Inscription.
Synagogue - Main Hall. . , English Text:, Apse and Benches , The curved wall of the apse was once pierced by three niches and two vaulted passageways. The openings were later blocked and the wall covered with bands of white and colored marble. Three tiers of marble-covered benches provided seats for synagogue elders. A high brick semidome originally covered the area., The semicircular floor mosaic within the apse was a gift of two brothers. Stratoneikianos and Synphoros Flavius, whose names are inscribed in the central wreath. Vines growing from a central urn resemble decor of the forecourt. Images of flanking peacocks were removed in late antiquity. The original mosaic is in the Manisa Museum., Marble panels , Excavation of the main hall found hundreds of pieces of cut marble, in many shapes and colors, known as opus sectile or skoutlosis. These pieces were once mounted on the walls in panels of marble inlay. The geometric patterns are similar topatterns in the floor mosaics. Pieces for floral designs and images of a camel, birds, and fish were also found. New inlay pieces were used in the restoration on the south wall., The inscription above the inlay panels (replica) records: "I with my wife Regina and our children (in fulfillment of a vow) executed from the gifts of almighty God all the skoutlosis of the (section of wall?) and the painting (of the ceiling or upper wall).", Wall Decoration in the Main Hall , The installation of marble wall decoration probably continued from the late 4th to the 6th century. The work took several generations to complete. Many names of donors are inscribed in Greek on marble plaques; two such donor inscriptions are restored. Many of the donors held the honorary title "citizen of Sardis." Several donors are identified as city councilors or holders of other government offices., Shrines , Excavations at the east end of the main hall identified the remains of two shrines that stood between the doors from the forecourt. These shrines probably housed the Torah, scrolls of the Hebrew bible., Tables and Lions , Torah scrolls probably were carried from the shrines at the east end of the hall and read from this huge marble table near the apse. The table and the lions that stand guard are older than the synagogue itself; they were moved from their original locations and set up here. The table supports, depicting eagles clutching thunderbolts in their talons, and the paired lions are replicas; the original sculptures are in the Manisa Museum., Bema or Baldachin? , The mosaic inscription at the center of the main hall records the gift of a "priest and teacher of wisdom." Four stone bases around this panel supported slender columns or pillars, probably marking the place where the teacher stood.
English Text:
Apse and Benches
The curved wall of the apse was once pierced by three niches and two vaulted passageways. The openings were later blocked and the wall covered with bands of white and colored marble. Three tiers of marble-covered benches provided seats for synagogue elders. A high brick semidome originally covered the area.
The semicircular floor mosaic within the apse was a gift of two brothers. Stratoneikianos and Synphoros Flavius, whose names are inscribed in the central wreath. Vines growing from a central urn resemble decor of the forecourt. Images of flanking peacocks were removed in late antiquity. The original mosaic is in the Manisa Museum.
Marble panels
Excavation of the main hall found hundreds of pieces of cut marble, in many shapes and colors, known as opus sectile or skoutlosis. These pieces were once mounted on the walls in panels of marble inlay. The geometric patterns are similar topatterns in the floor mosaics. Pieces for floral designs and images of a camel, birds, and fish were also found. New inlay pieces were used in the restoration on the south wall.
The inscription above the inlay panels (replica) records: "I with my wife Regina and our children (in fulfillment of a vow) executed from the gifts of almighty God all the
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skoutlosis of the (section of wall?) and the painting (of the ceiling or upper wall)."
Wall Decoration in the Main Hall
The installation of marble wall decoration probably continued from the late 4th to the 6th century. The work took several generations to complete. Many names of donors are inscribed in Greek on marble plaques; two such donor inscriptions are restored. Many of the donors held the honorary title "citizen of Sardis." Several donors are identified as city councilors or holders of other government offices.
Shrines
Excavations at the east end of the main hall identified the remains of two shrines that stood between the doors from the forecourt. These shrines probably housed the Torah, scrolls of the Hebrew bible.
Tables and Lions
Torah scrolls probably were carried from the shrines at the east end of the hall and read from this huge marble table near the apse. The table and the lions that stand guard are older than the synagogue itself; they were moved from their original locations and set up here. The table supports, depicting eagles clutching thunderbolts in their talons, and the paired lions are replicas; the original sculptures are in the Manisa Museum.
Bema or Baldachin?
The mosaic inscription at the center of the main hall records the gift of a "priest and teacher of wisdom."
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018
2. Synagogue - Main Hall Marker
A close up view of the supposed synagogue main hall scene, that is displayed on this marker.
Four stone bases around this panel supported slender columns or pillars, probably marking the place where the teacher stood.
Erected by The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Turkey, and the Harvard Art Museums and Cornell University.
Location. 38° 29.285′ N, 28° 2.417′ E. Marker is near Sart, Manisa, in Salihli. Marker can be reached from Kenan Evren Cd. just east of Sart Yolu, on the left when traveling east. This marker is on the grounds of the Sardis Archaeological Park, near the Roman Bath-Gymnasium and affixed to the inside walls of the Synagogue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sart, Manisa 45370, Turkey. Touch for directions.
Another distant view of the marker, looking southwest along the main hall of the synagogue.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018
5. Synagogue - Main Hall Marker
A distant view of the marker affixed to the south wall, looking west along the length of the main hall of the synagogue.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018
6. Synagogue - Main Hall
A distant view looking east along the length of the main hall of the synagogue.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018
7. Synagogue - Main Hall
As stated in the text of the marker, "Excavations at the east end of the main hall identified the remains of two shrines that stood between the doors from the forecourt. These shrines probably housed the Torah, scrolls of the Hebrew bible."
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018
8. Synagogue - Main Hall
View of the table and set of lions that are described as follows in the text of the marker, "Torah scrolls probably were carried from the shrines at the east end of the hall and read from this huge marble table near the apse. The table and the lions that stand guard are older than the synagogue itself; they were moved from their original locations and set up here."
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018
9. Synagogue - Main Hall
View of a portion of the restored synagogue wall, as described in the text of the marker, "Excavation of the main hall found hundreds of pieces of cut marble, in many shapes and colors, known as opus sectile or skoutlosis. These pieces were once mounted on the walls in panels of marble inlay."
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2018. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 28, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 30, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.