Jews and Godfearers at Aphrodisias

This book presents a recently discovered inscription from Aphrodisias in western Turkey, probably of the third century AD, which throws unusual light on the history of the Jewish diaspora, on the background to early Christianity, and on the society of a Greco-Roman city below the level of its elite, who normally dominate the evidence. The inscription records a charitable donation to a synagogue community by Jews (including a few proselytes) and a category of men described as theosebeis, whom the authors interpret as gentiles with a serious interest in Judaism, like the 'God-fearers' of the Acts of the Apostles. These theosebeis range in status from city-councillors to fullers, and they reveal what kind of men were attracted by monotheism and its moral code; these men might also provide converts to Christianity. The text also reveals something of the professed ideals and activities of the donors: psalm-singing and law are prominent; the former sheds light on the history of Christian liturgy. Aphrodisias was not previously known to have had a Jewish community.