Jewish mosaics from Roman Tunisia at the Brooklyn Museum

Jewish Mosaic depicting  the Personification of Rome 1st-2nd century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia

The remains of the synagogue at Hammam Lif, Tunisia, were uncovered by the French army captain Ernest de Prudhomme in 1883, while preparing a garden for planting. Since his fortuitous discovery, archaeologists have identified nearly three hundred other synagogues, dating to between 300 and 600 CE in the Mediterranean region. The principal mosaics from Hammam Lif (called Naro in ancient times) were added to the synagogue’s sanctuary about 500 C.E. as the gift of a woman named Julia Nap, indicated by an inscription within the floor. Additional mosaic panels, also collected by Captain Prudhomme, came from other rooms in the synagogue or from nearby buildings. These other panels were made earlier, in the first or second century CE, and feature animals, a male figure, and a female figure. Jews traditionally traced their arrival in Tunisia to the period of Phoenician domination, but certainly had arrived by the first century BCE, in Roman times. Many Latin-speaking Italians also settled in Tunisia during Roman rule. Objects found at the site suggest connections and interchanges between pagan, Christian, and Jewish symbolism in a relatively fluid cultural landscape despite official state repression of certain groups at different times. Images courtesy of the museum.

Jewish Mosaic depicting  a gazelle 1st-2nd century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia

Jewish Mosaic depicting  a lion, symbol of divine power, 1st-2nd century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia

Jewish Mosaic depicting a young man 1st-2nd century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia

Jewish Mosaic depicting  a bird with vines 6th century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia

Jewish Mosaic depicting  a date palm 6th century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia

Jewish Mosaic depicting  a duck with vines 6th century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia

Jewish Mosaic depicting  a fish 6th century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia

Jewish Mosaic depicting  a lion 6th century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia

Jewish Mosaic depicting  a partridge 6th century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia

Jewish Mosaic depicting  a rooster 6th century CE from Hammam Lif, Tunisia