About this episode

This episode explores the ancient city of Dura-Europos and its significance in early Christian art.

It’s believed that some of the oldest preserved depictions of Jesus Christ are from a town in Syria, abandoned nearly 2000 years ago. The paintings, on a rough stone wall, can be seen at the Yale Art Gallery in New Haven.

People in this episode

Host: Davis Dunavin

Topics covered

• history
• art
• archaeology
• religion
• cultural heritage

Keywords

• Dura-Europos
• Syria
• Jesus Christ
• ancient art
• Yale Art Gallery

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Yale Art Gallery

Books & works: paintings

Places: Dura-Europos, Syria, New Haven

More episodes of Off the Path

• Revolutionary: NYC's Fraunces Tavern, where Washington toasted and the cabinet met · July 3, 2026 · 13 min
• Revolutionary: The only intersection that predates 1776 and survived a British burning · July 2, 2026 · 9 min
• Revolutionary: the war heroine who disguised herself as a man to fight · July 1, 2026 · 12 min
• Revolutionary: 250 years later, the 'Liberty Tree' blooms again · June 30, 2026 · 13 min
• Vampires! On a Boat! In New York City! · October 31, 2025 · 7 min
• Looking for the Original "Podunk Town"... In Connecticut · September 11, 2025 · 13 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Off the Path podcast page.