Items - Architecture and Asceticism

Views of Dura Europos in 1992

These general views of the fortifications and archaeological site were taken in December 1992.

Type: Archaeological Site
Tags: Archaeological Excavation, Archaeology, Architecture, City gate, Dura Europos, Fortifications, Syria

Dura Europos Temple of Bel

As with a number of other cult sites in Dura Europos, the Temple of Bel was identified primarily by its frescoes which are now displayed in the National Museum of Damascus.

Type: Architecture
Tags: Archaeology, Architecture, Bel, Dura Europos, Euphrates, Syria, Temple

The Mithraeum at Dura Europos was identified by the same manner as the synagogue and house-church; it also had a number of frescoes as well as two stone panels in the central cult niche both depicting the central scene of the Tauroctony. The majority of the frescoes from the Mithraeum are now held by Yale University.

Type: Architecture
Tags: Archaeology, Architecture, Dura Europos, Euphrates, Mithraeum, Syria

Dura Europos Synagogue

The synagogue at Dura Europos is the only painted synagogue yet discovered. The frescoes depict stories from the Life of Moses, the Vision of Ezekiel of the Valley of the Dry Bones, the Sacrifice of Isaac and other Jewish imagery. The roof tiles also featured some figural motifs amongst a whole range of varied imagery. The frescoes are now housed in the National Museum in Damascus and only the footprint of the site remains in Dura.

Type: Architecture
Tags: Archaeology, Architecture, Dura Europos, Euphrates, Synagogue, Syria

Dura Europos House-Church

This is the earliest securely-dated house-church in the world as we know that it was active before the site was abandoned in 256. The frescoes from the building are now the property of Yale University and only the walls and outline of the building remain at Dura today.

Type: Architecture
Tags: Archaeology, Architecture, Church, Dura Europos, Euphrates, House-Church, Syria