Petra and Palmyra

Petra and Palmyra are important ancient cities. In pre-Muslim times, there were many individual kingdoms. These peoples inhabited the entire then Middle East.

One of the most famous kingdoms of that time and at the same time the oldest was the kingdom of the Nabataeans. Their origins date back to the 6th century BCE, when nomadic tribes came from the area of ​​today’s Transjordan. They took over the local Edomite kingdom along with the city of Petra (البَتْرَاء), known for its buildings carved into the rocks.

From the end of the 4th century BC until the 1st century AD, Petra was a key city on the caravan route. It even became the capital of Rocky Arabia and the Nabatean kingdom. It achieved prosperity in the first century C.E. The city was then “looked after” by the Romans, who used it to defend themselves against the neighboring Parthian people.

Access to the city was possible only through a winding gorge. From the south, east and west it was impregnable. It was located in the inaccessible highlands. There was a periodic river bed near the town. Additionally, it was the only place with sufficient drinking water between Jordan and Central Arabia, so Petra stopped caravans before continuing their journey. There were special cisterns and waterworks in the city that provided water for the growing and passing people.

Further fate

Later, the caravan route began to change and the Nabataean kingdom began to collapse and Petra began to lose its importance. Palmyra (تَدْمُر) began to take over her role.

The location of Palmyra and its abundant water resources gave it great opportunities for trade that ran in every possible direction. Thanks to this, in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, Palmyra became one of the richest cities in the Middle East. At that time, temples, thermal baths and theaters were erected (the city was under Roman occupation).

The peak period of Palmyra’s development was between 130 and 270 AD, when King Odejnath reigned. During all these years, trade in Palmyra almost reached China.

She was the true heiress of Petra, who ended her story by rising against Rome, which ended up plundering and destroying the city. The city’s end was destroyed by an earthquake in 744 CE.