Julius Gaius, praetor, consul of the Romans, to the magistrates,
Senate, and people of Parium,
sends greeting.
The Jews of
Delos and some other Jews who sojourn there in the presence
of your ambassadors, signified to us that, by a decree of
yours, you forbade them from observing the customs of their
forefathers and their way of sacred worship. Now it does
not please me that such decrees should be made against our
friends and allies whereby they are forbidden to live according
to their own customs or to contribute money for common meals
and holy festivals, for they are not forbidden to do so
even in Rome itself. For even Gaius
Caesar, our imperator and consul, in that decree wherein
he forbade the religious societies to meet in the city,
did yet permit these Jews and these only, both to collect
contributions and to hold their common meals. Accordingly,
when I forbid other religious societies, I permit these
Jews and these only, both
to collect contributions and to hold their common meals.
Accordingly, when I forbid other religious societies, I
permit these Jews to gather together and feast according
to the customs and laws of their forefathers. It will therefore
be good for you that if you have made any decree against
these our friends and allies, to abrogate the same by reason
of their virtue and good will toward us. . . ."
The decree of the people of Halicarnassus.
. . . Since we have ever a great regard to piety toward
God and to holiness; and since we aim to follow the people
of the Romans who are the benefactors of all men, and what
they have written to us about an alliance of friendship
and mutual assistance between the Jews and our city to the
effect that their sacred services and accustomed festivals
and assemblies may be observed by them; we have decreed
that as many men and women of the Jews as are willing to
do so may celebrate their Sabbaths and perform their sacred
rites according to the Jewish laws; and may make their
places of prayer at the seaside, according to the customs
of their forefathers. If anyone, whether he be a magistrate
or a private person, hinders them from so doing, he shall
be liable to a fine to be applied to the uses of the city.
The decree of the people of Sardis:
This decree was made by the Senate and people upon the representation
of the praetors: 'Whereas those Jews who are our fellow
citizens and live with us in this city have always had great
privileges bestowed upon them by the people, and have come
now before the Senate and the people, and have requested
that, upon the restitution of their law and their liberty
by the Senate and people of Rome, they may assemble together
according to their ancient legal custom and adjudicate
suits among themselves, and that a place may be given
them where they may have their wives and children, and that
they may offer, as did their forefathers, their prayers
and offerings to God; now the Senate and people have decreed
to permit them to assemble together on the
days formerly appointed according to their own laws;
and that a place be set apart for them by the praetors for
them to build
and inhabit as they shall deem fit for that purpose;
and that the market officials of the city shall take care
that such
sorts of food as they esteem fit for their eating may
be imported into the city.
The decree of the people of Ephesus:
. . . Since the Jews that dwell in this city have petitioned
Marcus
Julius Pomperus, the son of Brutus, the proconsul, that
they might be allowed to observe their Sabbaths and to act
in all things according to the customs of their forefathers
without impediment from anyone, the praetor (proconsul)
has granted their petition. Accordingly, it was decreed
by the Senate and people that since this affair concerns
the Romans, none of them should be hindered from keeping
the Sabbath day nor be fined for so doing; but that they
may be allowed to do all things according to their own laws.
