Illustration
The oldest known synagogue mosaic with figurative motifs, this scene depicts a battle between a giant and soldiers armed with swords, shields, and lances. The soldiers are depicted as either wounded or dead. At the edge of the mosaic a cavalryman flees, with the legs of another warrior included above him.
The scene may depict Samson fighting the Philistines or Goliath battling the Israelites. An Aramaic donor inscription is found below: "...son of Shimona and... made this mosaic at their own expense."
Excavated at Khirbet Wadi Hamam, near the Sea of Galilee dating to the 3rd-4th century CE. Stone Mosaic, currently housed in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
About the Author
Related Images
Kfar Bar'am Synagogue
David with the Head of Goliath
David and Goliath
Magdala Synagogue Mosaic
Ruined Ohel Yaakov Synagogue, Munich
Magdala Synagogue
Cite This Work
APA Style
Murray, D. (2015, August 29). Battling Giant. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4030/battling-giant/
Chicago Style
Murray, Dana. "Battling Giant." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified August 29, 2015. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4030/battling-giant/.
MLA Style
Murray, Dana. "Battling Giant." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 29 Aug 2015. Web. 21 Feb 2025.
