Edge of Empires

Pagans, Jews, and Christians at Roman Dura-Europos

September 23, 2011-January 8, 2012

Edge of Empires vividly illustrates the international, pluralistic character of Dura-Europos, a city strategically located high above the Euphrates River, between Syria and Mesopotamia. The exhibition focuses on its final phase, in the third century CE, when Dura-Europos served as an important Roman stronghold on the empire’s eastern edge. Many of the objects on view demonstrate the coexistence of multiple religions—including polytheistic cults, Judaism, and Christianity—the great variety of languages employed by its population, and its role as an international military garrison.

This exhibition has been organized by the Yale University Art Gallery and the McMullen Museum, Boston College. The ISAW presentation has been made possible through the support of the Leon Levy Foundation. Additional funding has been generously provided by the David Berg Foundation.