SSEA Public Lecture: Lior Gautier
When and Where
Speakers
Description
Concerning Judeans and other matters”. The Daily Lives of the Judeans of Elephantine in the 5th Century BCE
The Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities (SSEA) presents a public lecture on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Abstract:
In the fifth century BCE, Egypt was under Persian rule. The ruling power maintained the defensive system established by the Saite kings, as well as the use of foreign mercenaries stationed in fortresses throughout the territory. In the fortress of Elephantine—an island that had been continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years—foreign mercenaries and Egyptians lived side by side. They were neighbors, conducted business together, and even intermarried. Aramaic documents and archaeological excavations attest to the multicultural nature of this society. For instance, if one steps back in time and walks along King’s Street, one finds, opposite the Temple of Khnum, the temple of YHW, the main god of the Judeans. The institutional, religious, and domestic life of this Judean community is documented by Aramaic papyri and ostraca, as well as by archaeological evidence. The study of the Judeans of Elephantine lies at the intersection of several disciplines, including Egyptology. For over a century, scholars have studied this community, with most research focusing on their religion, laws, and juridical and social practices. Sources continue to be (re)examined, and new research perspectives are emerging, such as the study of domestic material culture.
This presentation proposes to examine certain aspects of Judean daily life using the available sources, adopting a multidisciplinary approach and integrating the Egyptian context. It also aims to demonstrate that the Judean community formed a complex group characterized by sociocultural diversity and a wide range of lived experiences. It is essential to bear in mind the challenges inherent in studying an ethnic group and its identities. These are not limited to the ethnicity of its members, as ethnicity constitutes only one component of identity, which is primarily shaped by multiple social experiences.