The City of Petra

Janae Bardell
History 134
11-23-14

In the country of Jordan, located in a mountainous desert area, exists a place

abundant in its history. The city of Petra has existed for many centuries, and has passed
between the hands of multiple rulers. Petra has been made most famous for its faade
carved out of rock, but the city has much more to offer. Although lost for centuries, the
city once thrived under both Nabataean and Roman rule, leaving pieces of history for
todays archaeologists to discover.
Before the city of Petra came about, the area was populated by a people called the
Edomitesi. The area was called Edom, meaning Red, and it was populated dating back
to 1200 BCE. The area was a prime location for the Edomites to control trade routes from
Arabia to Damascus. Not only did these people control trade routes, but they were also
skilled writers, skilled in metal working, made exceptional ceramics, and worked in
textile. The Edomites thrived in this area, but would not for much longer.
History has been unclear in some regards to the Nabataeans, but the Nabataeans
use of Petra has certainly been noteworthy. The Nabataean people took over Edom and
the Edomites were forced to move into Southern Palestine. Around 400 BCE, Petra was
built up by the Nabataeans, and the city became the capital of their kingdom. Not much is
known about the average Nabataean, but artifacts prove that there were many royals and
merchants within the area. It is believed that up to 20,000 people populated the city
during Nabataean rule, testifying to the fact that Petra was indeed a successful cityii.
After the Edomites left the area, the Nabataeans gained control over the numerous
caravan routes between Arabia and Syria. Also located between Egypt and Phoenicia,
Petra made out to be the perfect city for trade. Things such as spices, incense, and textiles
were highest in demand and therefore the most traded goods in the city. Location was a

very important aspect in terms of contributing to the citys success, but equally important
was the citys ability to harness and store water. Petra contains a network of channels to
capture rainwater and transfer it throughout the city, to wherever water was needediii. The
system not only prevented any flash flooding, but stored a large amount of water. This
water was used for the people of the city, but also for those along caravan routes.
Nabataeans offered shelter and water in multiple locations, for merchants who might pay
a fee. Using the funds collected from these rest stops, the city built and maintained
many buildings and gardensiv. Although the Nabataeans were successful merchants, they
were a religious people as well.
The state religion of the Nabataeans emphasized the worship of a god and a
goddess Dushara and al-Uzza. Because of the Greek influence on the Nabataeans,
Dushara and al-Uzza were very similar to Greek god and goddess, Zeus and Aphrodite.
Dushara was believed to be the universal god of Heaven and al-Uzza the goddess of
abundance and fertility. The people cut shrines in the rocks of cliffs, showing that
worship of the gods was a common and everyday activity among the peoplev. The sacred
banquet rooms of Petra proved that the Nabataeans worshipped through feasts,
celebrating religious festivals and honoring the dead. Although little is known about the
Nabataeans religion and their religious customs, the religion had a large and faithful
enough following to continue even after the new trend of Christianity. Deities of the
Nabataeans are known today because of the artifacts left behind, from small relics, to
large temples.
In order to understand the architecture in Petra, one must first know of the people
who ruled the great city. After more than five centuries of Nabataean rule, the Romans

took over Petra in 106 CE. Emperor Trajan controlled the area and taxed the people. Petra
became a part of the Roman province Arabia Petraea, and would be influenced by the
Romans for many years to come. Many monuments were built during this time, including
the Petra Church with all of its mosaics. Along with the church, a massive theater was
built along southern edge of the valleyvi. The theater was carved in the rock, and held up
to 8,000 spectators. These monuments were among many others, each as magnificent as
the next.
Among Petras great monuments exists tombs for kings and leaders. The Urn
Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, and Palace Tomb are each architectural wonders. The Urn Tomb
is fronted by a double row of vaults, and the Palace Tomb is known for the rocks
chromatic effect. Khaznel el Faroun (Treasury of the Pharaoh) has a fantastic faade 40
meters tall, cut from the rock, with columns, and conical roof, and half frontons. The
interior is plain like most other tombs, but the design of the entire tomb tells of its
existence during Alexandrian times. Many of Petras monuments have been excavated,
but at least 85% of the city is still under the surface.
Although Petra is a beautiful city, its beauty was once double of that which it is
today. Petra sits near the boundary of the Arabian plate, and the earthquake of 363 CE
destroyed more than half of the cityvii. The earthquake was devastating to say the least,
damaging the theater, temples, and Colonnaded Street, which the city is built on either
side of. The quake also disrupted the water supply system, so the system must be more
closely monitored to prevent flash flooding. Much of the city was damaged from the
quake, but it doesnt prevent any tourists from wanting to visit the city. In 1985, the city
of Petra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2007 it became one of the

new Seven Wonders of the World. The city is fascinating for all, archaeologists and
tourists alike.
For a journey into the past, and a glimpse of another world, Petra is the perfect
city to give insight to past cultures and religions. From the Edomites to the Nabataeans to
the Romans, Petra endured many changes, but remained an amazing city. People of
todays time may not know it, but Petra made a great impact on the Middle East
(culturally and religiously), and remains a symbol of strength and prosperity.

Works Cited
"The Petra Great Temple | History." The Petra Great Temple | History. Brown University,
n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. Brown University is located in Providence, Rhode Island and
was founded in 1764. It is an Ivy League institution and is a leading research university.
Brown University funds the excavation of the Great Temple of Petra, which is directed by
Brown professor Martha Sharp Joukowsky.

Milstein, Mati. ""Lost City" of Petra Still Has Secrets to Reveal." National Geographic.
N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. National Geographic has been publishing since 1888. It is
one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Mati
Milstein is a photojournalist for National Geographic and has worked in the Palestinian
territories and Israel since 1998.

"Petra." AMNH. American Museum of Natural History, n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. The
American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869 and discovers and interprets
information about the natural world through research and exhibition.

"Petra -- World Heritage Site -- National Geographic." National Geographic. National

Geographic, n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. National Geographic has been publishing since
1888. It is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world.

"Petra." - UNESCO World Heritage Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. The United
Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture was founded in November of
1945. UNESCO has 195 Members and eight Associate Members and has more than fifty
field offices around the world. UNESCO encourages international peace and promotes
nations' collaboration.

For more information regarding the Edomites and the region of Edom, read Brown Universitys A Brief History of Petra.
To learn more about how the city of Petra came to be, read American Museum of Natural Historys Petra.
iii
Read United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations article, Petra, to learn more about the citys
vast irrigation networks.
iv
Read American Museum of Natural Historys Caravans and Commerce subsection in the article Petra to learn more
about Petras trade routes.
v
To learn more about the Nabataeans deities, read AMNHs Icons of the Gods subsection in the article Petra.
vi
Read UNESCOs Petra to learn more about the Romans influence in Petra.
vii
Read AMNHs The Great Earthquake subsection in the article Petra to know more about the history of Petras
earthquake.
ii