300 - 600 CE
The Byzantine Period in Israel
324 CE – 637 CE
Israel Museum / Israel Antiquities Authority, Photo by Ardon Bar-Hama
The Christian Pilgrim of Bordeaux Observes Israelites and Tisha B’Av, 333 CE
Chronicon Paschale
“There are two statues of Hadrian, and not far from the statues there is a perforated stone, to which the Jews come every year (on Tisha B’Av) and anoint it, bewail themselves with groans, rend their garments, and so depart.”
This Byzantine Christian work based on earlier records also relates that Hadrian built the Temple of Jupiter, divided into three parts with statues of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, on the site of the Temple Mount.
Madaba Map replica, Photo by Ardon Bar-Hama
Once A Year on Tisha B’Av, Constantine the Great Allowed the Israelites to Visit the Temple Mount
Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av, commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temple of the Jews. Latin priest and historian Jerome (342-420 CE), related that the only day on which Jews were permitted to enter Jerusalem was Tisha B'Av.
Read moreLamenting the Destruction, Tower of David Museum
Photo by Ardon Bar-Hama
The Louvre, Paris
Roman Emperor Julian Orders the Rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, 363 CE
Julian’s Epistle 25 to the Community of the Jews:
“When I have successfully concluded the war with Persia, I may rebuild by my own efforts the sacred city of Jerusalem, which for so many years you have longed to see inhabited, and may bring settlers there, and together with you, may glorify the Most High God therein.”
The Emperor Julian was the only pagan emperor after Constantine. His dislike of Christianity because of its claim that it alone was the true religion earned him the name “apostate” and the enmity of Christians throughout the Roman Empire. He admired the Israelites’ ancient forms of worship and their god, Yahweh, whom Julian called “most powerful and most good.”
An Israelite Anticipates the Messiah, 400 - 500 CE
A letter sent by an Israelite from the Galilee in the fifth century expressed a prevailing sentiment that the redemption was near.
“Behold, the Roman kings have ordered that the gates of Jerusalem be returned to us. Speedily come up to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Tabernacles, for our kingdom is about to be rebuilt in Jerusalem.”
Source: Dan Bahat. The Illustrated Atlas of Jerusalem. The Israel Map and Publishing Company LTD, Israel, 1996. p. 75.
Byzantine Empress Eudocia Removes The Ban on Israelites Praying at the Temple Mount, 438 CE
An inscription bearing the name of Empress Eudocia was found at Hammat Gader near the Sea of Galilee.
“Of the Empress Eudocia
In my life many and infinite wonders have I seen…”
Israel Antiquities Authority
Oil Lamp with Menorah
Israel Museum / Israel Antiquities Authority
Photo by Ardon Bar-Hama
Rehov Synagogue Inscription,
6th Century CE
The Earliest Talmudic Inscription:
“Shalom. These fruits are forbidden in Beit She'an during the Seventh Year (Shmita)... the leeks from the Festival (Sukkot) until Hanukkah …”
The inscription continues on to define the borders of the Land of Israel as settled by returning Jews who had been exiled in Babylon.
The inscription also lists laws of tithing and sabbatical years and names 18 Israelite towns in Samaria.
Israel Museum / Israel Antiquities Authority
The First Torah Scroll Found in the Holy Ark in a Synagogue
This burnt scroll was found inside the Holy Ark of the Synagogue at Ein Gedi. The parchment contains a passage from Leviticus (1:1-8).
Israel Antiquities Authority
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Beth Alpha Synagogue
The Beth Alpha Synagogue dedication indicates that it was likely built during the reign of Justinian the First (518-27 CE). The archaeological records show that it was once a two-story building complete with a bimah and a Torah ark oriented toward Jerusalem, as was (and still is) custom.
Synagogue Menorah from Ma'on in the Hills of Hebron, 500-600 CE
Israel Antiquities Authority / Israel Museum
Photo by Ardon Bar-Hama
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