Painted Tile
This painted tile has a Greek inscription reading “Heliodoros, the Actuarius.” An actuarius was a Roman military official who allocated provisions and wages to servicemen. In the image, Heliodoros is depicted as a scribe, holding a pen and ink box in his left hand.
Credits
Courtesy Yale University Art Gallery.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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Engage with this Source
Related Guide
Scribes in Early Jewish Literature
2nd Century BCE–3rd Century CE
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Jewish Antiquities 12.141–144
I would also have the work about the Temple finished, and the porticoes, and if there be anything else that ought to be built. And as for the materials of wood, let them be brought down from Judaea…
Eleazar, Scribe and Martyr
2 Maccabees 6:18–23
Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat swine’s flesh. But he, welcoming death with honor rather…
Scribes Slain by Seleucids
1 Maccabees 7:5–17
Then there came to him [Demetrius son of Seleucus] all the renegade and godless men of Israel; they were led by Alcimus, who wanted to be high priest. They brought to the king this accusation…
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Mark 12:28–40
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is…
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This reconstruction of a table and bench from Qumran is housed at the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum in Jerusalem. The furniture, which was made of mud brick and covered with plaster, was found in…
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