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Ancient Synagogue Coins
A Digital Dissertation Project
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Introduction
Problem
History of Scholarship
The Present Study
Compiling and rea-assessing old collections
The database and website project
The Synagogue Building
The Ancient Synagogue and its Components
Synagogue functions, Leadership, and Organization
Difficulty in Identifying Synagogues
Difficulty in Dating Synagogues
Numismatics
Archaeology vs. Numismatics
Coins and how to properly excavate, publish, and read them
Difficulty in Identifying Coins
Difficulties specific to synagogue coin deposits
The Present Study
Categorization and Terminology
A New Categorization System
Catalogue
‘En Gedi
‘En Nashut
Bar’am
Beth Alpha
Beth She’arim
Caesarea
Capernaum
Dabiyye
Deir ‘Aziz
Gush Halav
H. Shema’
Horvat Kanaf
Hammath Tiberias
Horvat Kur
Horvat Rimmon
Horvat Sumaqa
Korazin
Ma’oz Hayyim
Meroth
Ostia
Qasrin
Rehob
Sardis
Wadi Hamam
Function & Interpretation
Accidental Losses
Votive Offerings and Genizot
Tzedakah or Charity
Treasuries
Emergency Hoards
Post-Destruction Offerings
Difficulties in Interpretation
The Floor Deposits
The Evil Eye
Protection against the Evil Eye
Jewish Magic versus Jewish Religion and the ancient synagogue
Coins as apotropaic devices
Are the coins “foundation deposits”?
Tithing money
Why “magico-religious” coins?
Coin Agency
Who was involved in the placement of these coins?
Characteristics of Magico-Religious deposits
Deposits categorized as magico-religious deposits
Dating the tithing phenomenon
Placing the tithing phenomenon
Conclusion
Bibliography
Useful Information
Roman and Byzantine Emporers and Rulers
Coin Catalogue Abbreviations
Abstract
About me
Charity hoards or Tzedakah