Greek Inscription from Alexandria

This Greek inscription from Alexandria, Egypt, is one of a number of Egyptian Jewish dedicatory inscriptions for proseuchai, or prayer halls. Proseuchai seem to have served as focal points for the Jewish communities in Egypt and are among the earliest known examples of Jewish buildings for communal gathering and prayer, which came to be called synagogues. Inscriptions like this one highlight the good standing of many Egyptian Jewish communities and the close ties they had to the Ptolemaic dynasty. Alexandria had a large Jewish community and, centuries later, was famous for its magnificent synagogue.