Capernaum
The synagogue at Capernaum is a classic example of the Galilean type. It is a monumental structure built of well-cut limestone blocks (ashlar masonry), consisting of the synagogue (the hall) and a courtyard on one side (this discussion focuses on the hall alone). The hall is a basilica, with the narrow (shorter) sides oriented north-south. Engaged pilasters (square columns that are part of the wall) decorated the sides and back of the building's exterior. The building was covered with a pitched, tiled roof, which was supported by wooden beams carried on columns inside the building. The main entrances, consisting of one large doorway flanked by two smaller ones, were in the south (Jerusalem-oriented) wall. The interior of the hall was surrounded on three sides (east, west, and north) by columns with Corinthian capitals on raised pedestals. The hall was paved with large flagstones, and stone benches lined the east and west walls. The hall was two stories high, with the columns inside supporting a second-story gallery level that overlooked the central part of the interior (the nave). The inner face of the main doorway, which led into the nave, was flanked by two stone platforms for Torah shrines. This means that after entering the hall, worshipers had to turn in a complete circle to face the direction of prayer (the Jerusalem-oriented wall).
14.4 Aerial view of the synagogue at Capernaum. Courtesy of Zev Radovan/BibleLand Pictures. com.
The building was richly decorated with carved stone reliefs, many of which were concentrated on the outside of the southern (Jerusalem-oriented) facade, around the doorways and windows. A large, semicircular window above the main doorway allowed light to enter the nave. The reliefs consist mostly of geometric and floral motifs, including examples of the seven species (grapes and
14.5 Corinthian capital from Capernaum with a menorah.
14.6 Relief from Capernaum showing the Ark of the Covenant/Torah shrine.
Grapevines). Figured images were also depicted in the reliefs, most of which were later damaged, such as a pair of felines facing each other on the lintel of a doorway. A couple of undamaged reliefs are carved with two eagles facing each other and holding a garland in their beaks, and a horse with a fish tail (a sea-horse!). Whereas Jewish art before 70 C. E. was almost completely aniconic (without figured images), synagogues of the period after 70 are filled with figured and even pagan images, as we shall see. Jewish symbols and ritual objects are also represented at Capernaum, such as a menorah flanked by a shofar (ram's horn) and incense shovel carved on a Corinthian capital. One relief shows a wheeled structure with engaged pilasters on the sides; a pitched, tiled roof; and a double paneled door at one short end. This structure apparently depicted the Ark of the Covenant, and perhaps also the Torah shrine in ancient synagogues, which may have been modeled after the ark.
Chorazin
Three miles north of Capernaum is the ancient Jewish village of Chorazin. The synagogue in this village is another example of the Galilean type, although it is constructed of the local basalt instead of limestone. It has the same characteristic features as Capernaum: a rectangular hall built of ashlar masonry, oriented so that one short wall faces south toward Jerusalem; there is a central doorway flanked by two smaller ones in the main facade; the hall is paved with flagstones and encircled by pedestaled columns (with Ionic capitals) that divided the
14.7 Relief from Chorazin showing a head of Medusa or Helios.
Interior into a nave surrounded by three aisles; stone benches lined the walls; a Torah shrine flanked the interior of the doorway; and carved stone reliefs were concentrated especially on the main facade. The reliefs include the head of a Medusa or the sun (Helios), and a series of medallions showing putti (cupids)
14.8 Reconstruction of the synagogue at Kfar Baram. Courtesy of Zev Radovan/BibleLand Pictures. com.
14.9 Main doorway of the synagogue at Kfar Baram.
Treading grapes, a common motif in Greco-Roman art. There is also a stone seat of Moses (seat for an elder) bearing a dedicatory inscription in Aramaic.
Kfar Baram
Kfar Baram lies at the northern end of upper Galilee, just two miles from Israel's border with Lebanon. The synagogue's main facade (the Jerusalem-oriented wall) is still preserved to its original two-story height (not reconstructed). This building has the characteristic features of the Galilean type described for Capernaum and Chorazin. It also had a porch supported by columns in front of the main fafade. A large, semicircular window that is still preserved above the central doorway in the main fafade let light into the interior. The lintel of the main doorway was carved in relief with two winged females holding a wreath between them. In a later period the female figures were carefully chipped away, leaving only the wreath intact. These figures depicted Nikae (Victories) — Nike was the Greco-Roman goddess of victory (wreaths were awarded to victors). Eventually this motif was absorbed into early Christian art, which transformed Victories into angels.
14.10 Relief of a Victory from Ephesus.
World History
