The Theater, The Royal Tombs, The Great Temple and the Qasr al-Bint at Petra, Jordan

Petra is a historical archaeological city located in Southern Jordan. The capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom (3^rd Century BCE – 106 CE) during the 2^nd Century BCE, Petra was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985 CE. Famous for the city’s Rock-cut architecture, Petra was designated as one of the “New 7 Wonders of World” in 2007 CE.

While "Al-Khazneh"(https://ancientjourneys.blogspot.com/2023/12/al-khazneh-treasury-at-petra.html) and "Ad Deir"(https://ancientjourneys.blogspot.com/2023/12/ad-deir-monastery-at-petra.html) are the most recognizable structures within Petra, the archeological site houses many more impressive architectural marvels, including the Obelisk Tomb, Bab as-Siq Triclinium, the Djinn Blocks(https://ancientjourneys.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-obelisk-tomb-bab-as-siq-triclinium.html), the Theater, The Royal Tombs, The Great Temple and the Qasr al-Bint.

The Theater in Petra has been designed with three seating rows which are separated by passageways. The seven stairways in the structure lead to an auditorium which is estimated to be able to accommodate four thousand spectators. The Theater is the only one in the world to have been carved into a rock.

The Petra Theater

Across the theater lies the four rock cut structures carved into stone named “The Royal Tombs”. The four structures are named the Urn Tomb, the Silk Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, and the Palace Tomb. Estimated to have been constructed around 70 CE, the Urn Tomb was reconstructed as a Byzantine Church in 446 CE. Named after the rich color of its’ sandstone, the Silk Tomb dates back to the first half of the 1^st Century CE. The Corinthian Tomb which was constructed approximately between 40 CE and 70 CE has some similarities with "Al-Khazneh" (the Treasury), even though it has severely eroded over time. The Palace Tomb, which dates back to the 2^nd Century CE is believed to have been used for either banqueting or funerary functions.

The Royal Tombs of Petra

The Corinthian Tomb

The Urn Tomb

The Great Temple Complex in Petra, which is estimated to cover an area of 7560 square meters lies south of the Colonnaded Street at Petra. The construction of the temple is attributed to the Nabataean King Aretas IV (reign: 9 BCE - 40 CE). A rectangular complex aligned on a northeast-southwest axis, whether the complex actually served as a religious building or whether it functioned as an administrative building remains unclear. The original building is estimated to have been at least 18m in height.

The Great Temple of Petra

The Qasr al-Bint is considered to be the most important temple in Petra. The current structure is believed to have been constructed between the 1^st Century BCE and the end of the 1^st Century CE, on the remains of an earlier monument. The temple’s later constructions are dated from 106 CE to the late third century CE. At some point between approximately 268 CE and 272 CE, most likely during the invasion by the Palmyrene Empire (a short-lived breakaway state from the Roman Empire which existed from 260 CE to 273 CE, which used the city of Palmyra in modern day Syria as its’ capital), it was vandalized and burned down. Qasr al-Bint was dedicated to “Dhu-shara”, the main Nabataean deity.

Qasr al-Bint

Qasr al-Bint

A number of artifacts which were discovered across the Petra Archeological Site are on display at the Petra Museum.

The monumental bust of the Nabatean deity Dhu-Shara, Petra Museum (late first century CE)

Winged child and lions, Petra Museum (1^st Century CE)

Greek goddess Tyche and Greek god Eros, Petra Museum (early 1 Century CE)

Head of Hermes, Petra Museum (late 1^st Century CE)

Hercules, Petra Museum (2^nd Century CE)

Lion Head Fountain Spout, Petra Museum (mid-1^st Century CE)

Greek Inscription which reads “Petra Metropolis” which was part of monumental inscription in the arch over the stairway to Upper Market from the Colonnaded Street at Petra, Petra Museum (114 CE)

Vase with lioness handles, discovered at the Petra Church, Petra Museum (170 CE-210 CE)