Les collegia romaines comparées aux synagogues judéennes et galiléennes (ier siècle av. J.-C. - iiie siècle apr. J.-C.)

Abstract

The origins of the first synagogues are still under investigation today. In this paper, we will discuss the hypothesis comparing the first synagogues and the voluntary Greek-Roman associations which were so numerous in the Mediterranean World. First, we will see that the synagogues could be perceived by the Roman power as associations resembling to the collegia and thiasoi; the Roman laws especially those quoted in the Jewish Antiquities of Flavius Josephus reflect a confusion between the Jewish assemblies in the Diaspora and the Greek-Roman associations. In the second part of this paper, we will deal with the architecture from the work of P. Richardson because he compares buildings identified as synagogues with other buildings belonging to Greek-Roman associations. Finally, we will discuss if we can assume to extend the conclusions considering the synagogues of the Diaspora to the first synagogues excavated in Galilee and Judea.