The Role of Water in the Rise, Prominence, and Decline of Nabataean Petra

<p>This paper evaluates the rise of Nabataean Petra, its prominence, and eventual decline. The predominant context is effective water management as a pivotal driving factor in the growth of the Nabataean kingdom, which fostered an environment in which its famous incense trade could develop. Rising incense demand was the catalyst for growth from the first century BC through the first century AD; in AD 106 when Rome annexed the Nabataean kingdom, Petra began its gradual decline. In AD 363 an earthquake destroyed much of the city, and Petra did not return to its earlier prominence. From the outset, water played a vital role in cementing Petra's position economically and politically, and later ornamental uses of water legitimized the kingdom and its rulers to its population and rivals. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

Master

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Middle Eastern Studies

Grantor

The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Cummins, Dennis

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Elizabeth Macaulay-Lewis
• Simon Davis

• History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology
• Water Resource Management

Repository record dc:identifier

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/192

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:gc_etds-1191