The ruins of an ancient Jewish ritual bath have been found near Rome – the oldest such discovery outside of the biblical region of Israel and the surrounding area.

Rome and Ostia to this day are dotted with remnants of ancient Jewish history: a menorah on the bas-relief of the first-century Arch of Titus, commemorating the emperor’s sacking of Jerusalem; Jewish catacombs; sundry Roman-era inscriptions, and a synagogue at Ostia Antica.