Iranians Visiting the Synagogue at Dura-Europos

The Sasanians conquered and destroyed the Roman garrison town of Dura-Europos in 256 CE. Dura-Europos was a multicultural city and the home of a sizable Jewish community that worshiped in a stunning synagogue bearing colorful frescoes. Prior to the Sasanian conquest, there is evidence of more congenial Jewish interaction with Sasanian officials, in the form of twelve graffiti etched in the synagogue. One example is a positive reaction by Persian officials to a painting depicting two scenes from the Purim story—Haman leading Mordecai on the royal horse and Queen Esther seated beside King Ahasuerus, as a missive is either given to or received from a messenger. Although the graffito does not explain what the officials liked about the painting, it is tantalizing to speculate that the Jews who led them into the synagogue presented the depiction of Persian royalty favorably. Both the text of the Persian graffito and the painting are included here.