June 2011, Daily News

Treasures of Ancient Dura-Europos Released for All to See

By Dan McLerran   Tue, Aug 23, 2011

Many of us think of "diversity" today as pertaining to social initiatives or large cities with great populations like New York or London. Relatively few of us connect the word with historic or ancient towns and cities. But a new exhibition opening on September 23rd, 2011 in New York City promises to open the public's eyes to another, more ancient city that could be considered the quintessential historic example of the best potpourri of different cultures and people at any single location.

The exhibition, on view from September 23, 2011 to January 8, 2012 at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW), relates the story of life in the ancient city of Dura-Europos, located in present-day Syria, from the mid-second to mid-third century CE.  Aptly entitled Edge of Empires: Pagans, Jews, and Christians at Roman Dura-Europos, the exhibit showcases 77 objects from the city, including a presentation of the history of investigations and discoveries at the ancient site during excavations there in the 1920s and 1930s by Yale University and the French Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres. Says ISAW Exhibitions Director and Chief Curator Jennifer Chi, “The site of influential archaeological finds, Dura is an apt subject to be explored by ISAW, which is dedicated to illuminating the connections among various places and cultures of the ancient world. Moreover, as a city of extraordinary cultural diversity, Dura has great resonance for the modern world, where multiculturalism shapes the very nature and quality of daily life.” (See below for a gallery of selected artifacts from the exhibition).

The city was founded in the fourth century CE as a settlement under the Macedonian successors to Alexander the Great. Situated strategically along the Euphrates River at the intersection of major trade routes, it became an important way-station for caravans traveling from Arabia, Persia, and Syria toward the Mediterranean. Bordered on the east by the River, the north and south by deep ravines, and its more vulnerable western flank by a large wall, the city was also defensible to any enemy attack, extending its longevity as a settlement. Before its final destruction in 256 BC by the Sassanians, Dura-Europos was successively occupied by Parthians and Romans. It developed an unusually multicultural population that included Greeks, Romans, Parthians, Christians, Jews, and Pagans, living, working and worshipping side by side and speaking and writing in a variety of languages, including Greek, Aramaic, Latin, Parthian, Middle Persian, Hebrew, and Safaitic.  

Led by Michael Rostovtzeff of Yale and Franz Cumont of the French Academy, the excavations, which operated from 1928 until 1937, uncovered an enormously rich array of well-preserved artifacts and architectural remains that made headlines during the interwar period. Finds include the earliest known Christian house-church, an early Jewish synagogue, hundreds of parchment and papyri, numerous temples, brilliantly fresh wall paintings, inscriptions, tombs, and astonishingly well-preserved Roman arms and armor that included a painted wooden shield and complete horse armor.  Excavations were not resumed again at Dura until 1986, when the Mission Franco- Syrienne d’Europos-Doura, now under the direction of archaeologists Pierre Leriche and A. Al Saleh, continued to explore the site.

The Exhibition

The show begins with a presentation of archival photographs that illustrate the archaeological work and discoveries at Dura. It includes images of directors Franz Cumont and Michael Rostovtzeff in the field, and exterior and interior views of some of the city’s major monumental structures. The viewer is expected to acquire a pictorial impression of the extraordinary scale and nature of the discoveries, as well as the astonishing degree of preservation of much of its architecture.

The exhibition next depicts the everyday aspects of the life and culture of Roman Dura through the display of representative artifacts. Beginning with a presentation of Roman military life in the city, articles of military equipment and dress are displayed, including an astonishingly well-preserved painted Roman military shield and several bronze belt ornaments that show Celtic influence, demonstrating the international character of the Roman military that consisted of troops raised from distant regions of the empire. Well-preserved bronze horse-armor and an iron Sassanian helmet provide examples of the nature of combat between Roman soldiers and their opponents.

The international character of the city next emerges in displays of recovered inscriptions and graffiti in a variety of languages, including Aramaic, Latin, Parthian, Middle Persian, Hebrew, and Safaitic, but predominantly Greek, as it was considered the international business and cultural language of the day. The city's prominence as a center of international trade is reflected in the selection of pottery from the site.  Imported ceramic ware from Tunisia, for example, is displayed alongside locally produced pieces, and local wares like water jugs are exhibited in addition to a large amphora from the Aegean that normally would have contained wine or olive oil imported from distant parts of the Mediterranean.

Finally, some of the most compelling artifacts exhibited are those that reflect the ancient city's trademark mix of religions. Paganism, likely practiced by the city's military population, is represented by, for example, a relief showing the god Herakles' triumphal battle with the Nemean lion.  Judaism is presented through ten richly decorated ceiling tiles from the excavated synagogue, one of the most widely-hailed discoveries at the site.  Large-scale paintings from the baptistery of the earliest known Christian house-church afford a window on the large Christian community that existed there, even while they were still being persecuted throughout the Empire. 

Visitors may also obtain a catalogue of the exhibition containing essays by scholars, a map of the Dura-Europos region, archival photographs of the excavations, and an exhibition checklist. 

Edge of Empires: Pagans, Jews, and Christians at Roman Dura-Europos is organized by the Yale University Art Gallery and the McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College. A version of the exhibition previously appeared at the McMullen Museum, with the title Dura-Europos: Crossroads of Antiquity. The ISAW presentation has been made possible through the support of the Leon Levy Foundation.

More information about the exhibition and its organizers and sponsors can be obtained at the website, Edge of Empires. 

Cover Photo, Top Left:  Ceiling Tile with Portrait of Heliodoros, an Actuarius (Roman Fiscal Official) Clay, with a Layer of Painted Plaster, H. 30.5 cm, W. 44.0 cm, D. 6.7 cm From the House of the Scribes, Dura-Europos, 200–256 CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1933.292 Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

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A Selection of Artifacts in the Exhibition

Wall Painting of Julius Terentius Performing a Sacrifice Paint on Plaster, H. 107.0 cm, W. 165.0 cm From the Temple of the Palmyrene Gods, Dura-Europos, ca. 239 CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1931.386 Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

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Wall Painting of a Procession of Women (The Wise Virgins?) Paint on Plaster, H. 95.0 cm, W. 140.0 cm From the Christian Community House, Dura-Europos, ca. 232 CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1932.1201c Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

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Ceiling Tile with Portrait of Heliodoros, an Actuarius (Roman Fiscal Official) Clay, with a Layer of Painted Plaster, H. 30.5 cm, W. 44.0 cm, D. 6.7 cm From the House of the Scribes, Dura-Europos, 200–256 CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1933.292 Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

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Painted Panel of the Winged Goddess Victory Painted Wood, H. 38.0 cm, W. 11.5 cm, D. 0.8 cm From the Palmyrene Gate, Dura-Europos, 265–256 CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1929.288 Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

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Altar Dedicated to the Palmyrene God Iarhibol Limestone, H. 73.7 cm, W. 36.8 cm, D. 27.9 cm From the Temple of the Palmyrene Gods, Dura-Europos, 165–256 CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1929.385 Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

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Shield (Scutum) Paint on Wood and Rawhide, H. 105.5 cm, W. 41.0 cm, D. 30.0 cm From Tower 19, Dura-Europos, mid-3rd century CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1933.715 Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

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Thymiaterion (Incense Burner) Green-Glazed Terracotta, H. 31.8 cm, W. 23.3 cm, D. 13.9 cm From the Cistern at the Temple of Atargatis, Dura-Europos, mid-2nd–mid-3rd century CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1938.4966

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Relief of the God Arsu Riding a Camel Limestone, H. 33.0 cm, W. 44.5 cm, D. 7.0 cm From the Temple of Adonis, Dura-Europos, ca. 100–200 CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1935.44 Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

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Drachma of Sasanian King Shapur I Silver, Diam. 2.45 cm; 3.5 g Minted at Seleucia ad Tigrim, Found at Dura-Europos, ca. 241–256 CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1938.6000.47 Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

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Relief of the Goddess Atargatis, or Tyche, with Doves Limestone, H. 13.0 cm, W. 25.5 cm, D. 5.0 cm From the Temple of Adonis, Dura-Europos, 1st century CE Yale University Art Gallery, Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos: 1935.46 Photography © 2011 Yale University Art Gallery

By Dan McLerran

As Founder and Editor of Popular Archaeology Magazine, Dan is a freelance writer and journalist specializing in archaeology.  He studied anthropology and archaeology in undergraduate and graduate school and has been an active participant on archaeological excavations in the U.S. and abroad.  He is the creator and administrator of Archaeological Digs, a popular weblog about archaeological excavation and field school opportunities.