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The Nabataeans were an ancient Arab people whose territory extended primarily to the south and east of the region that today includes Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the Sinai Peninsula. They are primarily considered Bedouin nomads who roamed the Arabian Desert, known for their nomadic spirit, although over time they settled in cities and developed an organized civilization.

Their most famous capital was Petra (called Raqmu by them), a monumental rock-hewn city located in present-day Jordan, which was a key hub on ancient trade routes. They controlled important caravan routes that transported valuable goods such as frankincense, myrrh, spices, and other luxury items between Arabia, the Red Sea, India, and the Mediterranean.

Probably originating from the Arabian Peninsula, they are related to the biblical tribe of Nebayot, descendants of the son of Ishmael, although this identification is disputed. Their language was a variant of Aramaic, and they practiced a polytheistic religion.

During their heyday, between the 4th century BC and the 1st century AD, the Nabataeans were skilled in trade, leather, glass, and ceramic crafts, as well as Hellenistic-influenced architecture and sculpture. They also demonstrated skill in desert water management, which allowed them to thrive in a harsh environment.

The Nabataean kingdom remained independent until 106 AD , when it was incorporated into the Roman Empire, becoming known as Arabia Petraea. Its territory included important cities such as Petra, Madain Saleh (in Saudi Arabia), and Bosra (in Syria).

The Nabataean kings, notably Aretas I and Aretas III, wielded considerable power, and their wealth was reflected in the monumentality of their buildings and burial sites. Although they were initially allied with the Jewish Maccabees, they later became their rivals. Eventually, their civilization was absorbed into the Roman context, and their cities were used as military and commercial bases.

Main monarchs

  • Aretas I (c. 169 BC): Considered the first known king and early founder of the Nabataean kingdom.

  • Aretas II (120/110 to 96 BC): Possibly a successor linked to Rabbel I; he expanded the kingdom and strengthened trade routes.

  • Obodas I (c. 96 to 85 BC): Noted for his military victories, especially against the Hasmoneans and the expansion of the kingdom.

  • Rabbel I (c. 85/84 BC): Successor of Obodas I; data on his reign are limited.

  • Aretas III Philhellen (84–60/59 BC): Hellenistic king recognized by Rome in 62 BC; he expanded his territories and integrated Hellenic influences.

  • Obodas II (62/61 to 60/59 BC): Short reign and its existence has been a matter of debate, probably only a few months.

  • Malichus I (59 to 30 BC): Consolidated Nabataean control and strengthened economic and military power.

  • Obodas III (30 to 9 BC): Promoted agriculture and construction projects that stabilized the economy.

  • Aretas IV Philopatris (9/8 BC to 39/40 AD): His reign was a period of prosperity; he expanded trade routes and carried out significant construction at Petra.

  • Malichus II (39/40 to 69/70 AD): Continued expansion and faced Roman pressure.

  • Rabbel II Soter (70/71 to 106 AD): Last Nabataean king; his reign ended with the Roman annexation in 106 AD

In addition, some queens such as Ḥuldo, Šagīlat, Šagīlat II, Gāmilat and Hagaru acted as choirs together with their husbands in later stages of the reign.

Nabataean numismatics is a fascinating field that reflects the transition of the Nabataean people from their nomadic origins to the creation of a prosperous and complex kingdom, with Petra as its capital and economic center.

  • The Nabataeans began minting coins in the 2nd century BC , demonstrating their economic and political independence. These coins were used to facilitate trade across their vast territory and caravan routes connecting Arabia with the Mediterranean.

  • The best-known and most valuable Nabataean coins come from the kingdom at its height, roughly between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD. During the reign of Aretas IV (9 BC–40 AD), known as a builder and highly influential monarch, the coinage achieved great quality and variety.

  • The iconography of Nabataean coins includes highly stylized portraits of kings, sometimes accompanied by queens, a prominent feature of their issue. The reverse frequently displays inscriptions in Nabataean Aramaic, female figures, or symbols related to royalty and local divinity. For example, some coins feature statues or draped female figures, which could represent queens or deities.

  • Coins were made primarily of bronze, silver, and sometimes alloys, and came in various sizes and weights depending on their function and period.

  • The kingdom's main mint was in Petra, and it is in this city that many of the coins preserved today were minted.

  • The inscriptions on the coins are valuable for historiography because they use the Nabataean language and alphabet (a variant of Aramaic), and confirm the autonomy and monarchical structure of the Nabataean kingdom.

  • Numismatic study has made it possible to identify several Nabataean kings with historical precision, such as Aretas I, Obodas I, Rabbel II and especially Aretas IV, whose reign marked the maximum splendor of the kingdom and monetary activity , with coins often found in international collections.

  • Some coins depict the wife or choreina, such as Shaqilat and Gamilat, showing the importance of the female figure in the Nabataean dynasty.