Pictured below is an inscribed white marble plaque from Kastelli of Kissamos, which is dated to the 4th–5th century CE, and offers significant insight into the lives and roles of Jewish women during Late Antiquity. This artifact is preserved in the Archaeological Museum of Kissamos.
The six-line Greek inscription on the plaque reads as follows (Bandy 1963, 227): Sophia Gortynia | presbytera | ke archisynagao | gissa Kissamoun | th. memorialist | isseona. Amen.
During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the city of Gortyna appears to have been a major hub for the Jewish population on the island of Crete. This inscription is particularly significant because it provides evidence of an organized Jewish community in Kissamos. Furthermore, it highlights the social and religious roles of women, demonstrating their active participation and leadership within the synagogue in Late Antiquity.
Drawing on this epigraphic evidence, including the inscription of Sophia—published in the printed and electronic editions of the Corpus Inscriptionum Judaicarum Graeciae—this study seeks to illuminate the role of women in multicultural and multireligious societies. It emphasizes their contributions to the diversity and enrichment of political processes and social networks, both on an individual and collective level.
This analysis also sheds light on Greece’s multicultural heritage and reconstructs the history of one of Europe’s oldest religious and cultural communities. It underscores the social and religious roles of women within the Jewish community while exploring their interactions with the broader society.
Ultimately, this presentation seeks to promote a deeper understanding of the early past and encourage reflection on universal themes such as prejudice, stereotypes, racism, and anti-Semitism. By emphasizing respect for the sanctity and dignity of human life, it offers a message of positive affirmation against social biases and promotes the recognition of women’s essential contributions to history.
