Rome: An Archisynagogue

The following, from a catacomb inscription, refers to an archisynagogue, literally, “head of the synagogue.” It was not unusual for women to serve in this role which involved heading the Jewish community, not the conduct of religious services.

Here lies Salo the daughter of Gad, archisynagogue of the Jews. She [lived] 41 years. May she rest in peace.

86. Trans. S. Berrin from J.-B. Frey, Corpus Inscriptionum Iudaicarum, no. 510