Petra is a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan. It lies on the slope of Jabal Al-Madbah in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah valley that run from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba.
It was established possibly as early as the 4th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom. The Nabataeans were nomadic Arabs who invested in Petra's proximity to the trade routes by establishing it as a major regional trading hub. It continued to flourish until the 1st century AD when its famous Al-Khazneh facade was constructed, and its population peaked at an estimated 20,000 inhabitants.
Encroaching troops of the Roman Empire in 106 AD forced the Nabataeans to surrender. The Romans annexed and renamed the Kingdom to Arabia Petraea. Petra's importance declined as sea trade routes emerged, and after a 363 earthquake destroyed many structures. The Byzantine Era witnessed the construction of several Christian churches. By 700, the city became an abandoned place where only a handful of nomads grazed goats.
It was established possibly as early as the 4th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom. The Nabataeans were nomadic Arabs who invested in Petra's proximity to the trade routes by establishing it as a major regional trading hub. It continued to flourish until the 1st century AD when its famous Al-Khazneh facade was constructed, and its population peaked at an estimated 20,000 inhabitants.
Encroaching troops of the Roman Empire in 106 AD forced the Nabataeans to surrender. The Romans annexed and renamed the Kingdom to Arabia Petraea. Petra's importance declined as sea trade routes emerged, and after a 363 earthquake destroyed many structures. The Byzantine Era witnessed the construction of several Christian churches. By 700, the city became an abandoned place where only a handful of nomads grazed goats.
Modern location: Petra, Jordan
(1)
Commodus
An
AE
Hemiassarion
struck 177-192 AD
in
Petra
Obverse: ΑΥΤ ΚΟΜΜΟΔ ΑΝΤⲰΝΙΝΟϹ: laureate head of Commodus, r.
Reverse: ΠƐΤΡΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙϹ: in laurel wreath
Diameter:
0 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 2.1 g
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 2.1 g
No notes for this coin
RPC IV online 6633
(2)
Julia Domna
Obverse: draped bust right; IOVΛIA_CEBACTA
Reverse: Tyche of Petra, holding baetyl and trophy, seated left on rock outcropping within distyle temple; pellet in pediment; AΔΡI_ΠETΡA_MHT
Diameter:
26 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 12.47 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 12.47 g
*Legend for Spijkerman 40 should be IOVΛ·ΔO but plate coin is most probably die match with this coin which has IOVΛIA_CEBACTA legend.
Spijkerman 40*
(3)
King Rabbel
|
Queen Gamilat
Obverse: Laureate and draped bust of Rabbel right.
Reverse: Laureate, veiled, and draped bust of Gamilat right; date in legend behind head.
Diameter:
13.1 mm
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 3.12 g
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 3.12 g
No notes for this coin
Barkay, Coinage 16; Meshorer, Nabataea 153. Scarce.
(4)
King Rabbel
|
Queen Gamilat
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Obverse: Laureate and draped bust of Rabbel right.
Reverse: Laureate, veiled, and draped bust of Gamilat right; date in legend behind head.
Diameter:
13.1 mm
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 3.12 g
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 3.12 g
No notes for this coin
Barkay, Coinage 16; Meshorer, Nabataea 153. Scarce.