History of the Sages

Ancient Palmyra, Syria. The competition between it and Neharda led to the destruction of the Jewish city. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Nehardea Chapter 4 and Final: The Destruction of Nehardea Between Persia and Palmyra: Who Really Destroyed the Babylonian Center of Torah?

The article re-examines the identity of Papa bar Netzer, rejects the identification with Odintus of Palmyra, and suggests that the destruction of Nehardea in the third century CE was the result of a Palmyra invasion motivated by economic and competitive motives.