Samuel and the Destruction of Caesarea Mazaca

b. Mo‘ed Katan 26a

220–600

About This Entry

The following talmudic passage describes the amora Samuel’s reluctance to mourn the deaths of Jews killed in a Sasanian campaign in Cappadocia, which was conquered in 260 CE. This passage—likely apocryphal—describes a close relationship between Samuel of Nehardea and Shapur I (r. 241–272 CE).

They said to Samuel, “Shapur the king killed twelve thousand Jews in Caesarea Mazaca.” And he did not rend [his garments. . . .]

And did Shapur kill the Jews? Behold, Shapur the king said to Samuel, “May evil befall me if I have ever killed a Jew!” In that case, they brought it upon themselves. For R. Ammi said, “From the noise of the bows of Caesarea Mazaca, the walls of Laodicea collapsed.”

Translated by Shai Secunda.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.