Who Were the Prominent Kings of the Nabateans?
The Nabatean Kingdom was ruled by several noteworthy kings. Below are some of the most significant among them:
- Harith I (169 BC – 120 BC): Also known as Aretas, Harith I was the first king of the Nabateans. He is referenced in the biblical Book of 2 Maccabees, which affirms his reign during that era. His leadership expanded the kingdom, earning him the title “Tyrant of the Arabs” from his adversaries. He assisted Judah in opposing the Seleucids.
- Harith II (120 BC – 95 BC): The second king of the Nabateans, Harith II, known as Aretas, experienced deteriorating relations with the Hasmonean Jewish dynasty during his reign. This was largely due to the expansion of the Jewish kingdom, which had implications for the Nabateans.
- Obodas I (95 BC – 88 BC): Succeeding Harith II, Obodas I is best known for his victory over the Hasmonean king, Alexander Jannaeus, and for recapturing Gaza. A subsequent conflict with the Seleucids ended in the Seleucid defeat, contributing to the end of Obodas I’s reign.
- Harith III (87 BC – 62 BC): Under his rule, the Nabatean Kingdom expanded significantly, gaining control over the city of Damascus and dominating trade routes between Syria and Arabia.
- Obodas II (62 BC – 59 BC): His reign was brief, lasting just two years before he passed away shortly after ascending to the throne.
- Malik I (59 BC – 30 BC): During his rule, Malik I was forced to acknowledge the supremacy of Herod the Great.
- Obodas III (30 BC – 9 BC): Regarded as one of the greatest Nabatean rulers, Obodas III is often commemorated in Nabatean inscriptions as “Obodas, King of the Nabateans, beloved by his people.”
- Harith IV (9 BC – 40 AD): Harith IV unified the armed forces of the kingdom, witnessing a flourishing of arts, culture, and the economy during his tenure.
- Malik II (40 AD – 70 AD): The kingdom faced challenges under Malik II, who saw the loss of northern territories to the Romans, indicating a period of decline.
- Rabbel II (70 AD – 106 AD): The last king of the Nabateans, Rabbel II, presided over the annexation of the Nabatean Kingdom by the Roman Empire in 106 AD.
Who Were the Nabateans?
The Nabateans were an Arab tribe that first emerged in the sixth century BC in the desert east of Jordan. Originating from the southeast Arabian Peninsula, they initially settled in Petra and later expanded their territory into Hauran and the Levant. They eventually declared Bostra as the capital of their kingdom. During the fourth century BC, the Nabateans lived as nomadic people in tents, speaking Arabic, and showed little interest in agriculture. However, by the second century, their society had transformed into an organized community.
When Were the Nabatean Ruins Discovered?
In the nineteenth century, European explorers began rediscovering ancient cities such as Petra, which highlighted the richness of Nabatean culture. Interest in the Nabateans surged further in the twentieth century when numerous scholars and archaeologists visited the area to excavate ancient sites. Petra was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.