Numerous epigraphic traces attest to the presence of Jews in Pompeii before the city was destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius in 79. They also lived in the towns near Herculaneum and Stabia.
Names of Jewish personalities have been found such as Fabius Eupor and Youdaikos. Historian Flavius Joseph mentions that a descendant of King Herod died during the eruption.
In the ruins of Pompeii was found a house nicknamed by archaeologists “Casa degli ebrei”. It is found in this place: N.6, Reg. VIII, Ins. 6. Murals depict the Judgment of King Solomon.
Nevertheless, the work being a bit caricatural in relation to the subject, doubts remain about the origin of the work and the affiliation of the house.
There is also an inscription “Sodom Gomor” on ruins located at N. 26, Reg. IX, Ins. I. Other designs such as a five-pointed star have been found.
All these works do not constitute proof and stimulate many debates among historians. The tourism enhancement of Jewish cultural heritage at the site should therefore be taken with a grain of salt, as debates about its authenticity are far from resolved.