Greek Inscription from Nitriai

2nd Century BCE

On behalf of King Ptolemy and Queen Cleopatra his sister and Queen Cleopatra his wife, benefactors, the Jews of Nitriai dedicated the prayer hall [proseuchē] and the appurtenances.

Source: JIGRE 25 / CIJ 2.1442

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This Greek inscription from Nitriai, 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.

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