Roman Petra
by Alaa Ababneh, PhD Candidate at Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona
The Romans Arrive in Petra
In 106 CE, Emperor Trajan peacefully annexed the Nabataean Kingdom, bringing Petra into the Roman Empire. Unlike other Roman conquests, this transition happened without major conflict, thanks to the Nabataeans’ strong trade ties with Rome. The region was reorganized as the province of Arabia Petraea, with Bostra (modern-day Bosra, Syria) as its capital. This gave Rome control over vital trade routes connecting the Mediterranean with Arabia, India, and beyond.
Although Nabataean rule ended, Petra entered a new era of prosperity. The Legio III Cyrenaica, a Roman legion, was stationed in the province to maintain order and ensure safe passage along the trade routes. Thanks to its strategic location and established infrastructure, Petra remained an important city in the Roman Empire.
How Petra Changed Under Roman Rule
With Roman rule came changes to Petra’s layout, architecture, and infrastructure. The Romans brought their own urban ideas and building techniques, reshaping the city while building on its Nabataean foundations.
One of the most visible changes was the construction of a grand colonnaded street, a hallmark of Roman urban planning. This wide avenue became the city’s main thoroughfare, filled with shops, administrative buildings, and public spaces. The Nabataean theater, already carved into rock, was expanded by the Romans to seat approximately 8,500 people, transforming it into a major venue for performances, public speeches, and gatherings.
Petra’s great temple was remodeled with Roman architectural elements and may have functioned as both a religious and civic center. Petra’s water management system, already a marvel of Nabataean engineering, was further improved. The Romans added aqueducts, reservoirs, and fountains to support a growing population.
Daily Life in Roman Petra
As Petra became more integrated into the Roman Empire, its culture and daily life evolved. Trade remained the foundation of the city’s economy. Petra continued to serve as a hub for luxury goods such as spices, incense, and silk, which moved between the East and the Roman world. New Roman roads, such as the Via Nova Traiana, connected Petra to Bostra and the Levant.
Culturally, Petra became more cosmopolitan. Greek and Latin began to appear more frequently in official inscriptions and government records, although the Nabataean language was still spoken in everyday life. Religious practices also changed. While many Nabataeans continued to worship traditional deities like Dushara and Al-Uzza, Roman gods such as Jupiter and Venus were gradually introduced. Temples began to reflect a fusion of Nabataean and Roman religious styles.
Public entertainment also became a more visible part of city life. The Romans brought new forms of leisure to Petra, including theatrical performances and gladiator games, contributing to a vibrant urban culture.
Long-term Impacts of Roman Rule
Despite its prosperity under Rome, Petra began to decline by the third century CE. One major reason was the shift in trade routes. As maritime trade became more dominant, overland routes through Petra were used less frequently. Other cities, especially Palmyra, began to take Petra’s place as key commercial centers in the region.
Natural disasters also played a role. A series of powerful earthquakes in the fourth and sixth centuries damaged many of Petra’s buildings, including important temples and administrative centers. Reconstruction efforts were limited, and some of the damage proved permanent.
By the fourth century, Petra had become part of the Byzantine Empire. As Christianity spread throughout the region, many older temples were abandoned or converted into churches. Although Petra continued to exist, it lost much of its influence as coastal cities gained economic and political power.
Bibliography:
- “A Walk Through the Ruins of Petra.” The American Museum of Natural History. https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/archaeology/a-walk-through-the-ruins-of-petra
- Fiema, Z. T. (2003). “Roman Petra (A.D. 106–363): A Neglected Subject.” Zeitschrift Des Deutschen Palästina-Vereins (1953-), 119(1), 38–58. http://www.jstor.org/stable/27931711
- Peacock, M. (2013). “The ‘Romanization’ of Petra.” Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies. Supplement, 120, 169–193. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44216743
- “The Ancient City of Petra.” The American Museum of Natural History. https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/archaeology/the-ancient-city-of-petra2
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Cite this page as: Alaa Ababneh, “Roman Petra,” Ancient Rome Live. Last modified 06/17/2025. https://ancientromelive.org/roman-petra
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