The Nabataean Arabs were one of the most remarkable peoples of the Ancient World but are today known only for their hauntingly beautiful rock-carved capital Petra, a lost civilization flowering and its demise.

The early Nabataeans forsook all building and agriculture because those who possess these things, in order to retain them, are easily compelled by the powerful to do their bidding. Rather than fight invaders, they would go into the desert, where only they could survive, and wait for the invaders to leave. Aretas II was a contemporary of Alexander Jannaeus. Aretas III was the first to issue coins, which he began after he defeated the Seleucid army in 84 B.C. and the council of Damascus asked him to govern their city. A Roman army under Marcus Aemilius Scaurus defeated Aretas III and besieged Petra, but paying a tribute, Aretas received formal recognition by the Roman Republic. The kingdom was slowly surrounded by the expanding Roman Empire, who conquered Egypt and annexed Judea, but wealthy from incense trade, Nabataea paid tribute and retained independence. The Nabataeans fought against Herod and also provided forces to the Romans during the Second Jewish Revolt. After the last Nabataean king, Rabbel II, died in 106 A.D., Trajan incorporated Nabataea into the Roman province Arabia Petraea. One of the latest known Nabataean language inscriptions, from 191 A.D., records "...This in the year 85 of the Eparchy [Roman Rule], in which Arabs destroyed the land." It seems likely that raiding Arab tribes extinguished what remained of a weakened Nabataean culture.

The Nabataean kingdom experienced its greatest apogee during the reign of Aretas IV (9 BC - 40 AD), nicknamed "the Friend of his people". He pushes the boundaries of his kingdom. He is a builder monarch. The main monuments of Petra were built during his reign. His son and successor Malichos II (40 - 71 AD) leads a pro-Roman policy. During the Judean War, he will be the faithful ally of Titus, to whom he provides a contingent of 1,000 horsemen and 500 archers. After his death, his wife Shaqilat II ensures the regency for his son. Rabbel is the last king (71 - 106) of Petra. Shortly after his death, the Romans annexed Nabatene which became a Roman province under the reign of Trajan (97-117), under the name of Arabia.

Rabbel II Soter, was the last ruler of the Nabataean Kingdom, ruling from 70 to 106.

After the death of his father, Malichus II, Rabbel still a child, ascended to the throne. His mother, Shaqilath II, assumed the regency of the Nabataean Kingdom, during the minority of her son Rabel II in 70-76 AD.  

His sister Gamilath became queen of the Nabataeans. Rabbel gave himself the Greek title "Soter", meaning "Savior". He reigned with his first wife Queen Gamilath and his second wife Queen Hagaru. Gamilat was a queen in 76–102 CE and Hagru was a queen in 102–106.

After his death in 106, the Roman emperor Trajan faced practically no resistance and conquered the kingdom on 22 March 106. It became the Roman province of Arabia Petraea, with Bosra becoming its provincial capital.

OBVERSE:  Side-by-side busts of Rabbel II and Gamilath right.

REVERSE: Two crossed cornucopias, the names of the King and Queen in Hebrew between them in 2 lines, 

Lettering: רבאל / גמלת

Translation: Rabbel Gamilat

Mint: Petra, Arabia, Jordan

Country           Northern Arabia - Nabataean Kingdom (Presently Jordan)

King Rabbel II (70-106)

Type           Standard circulation coin

Years            76-102

Currency  Prutah

Composition Bronze

Weight          1.98 g

Diameter   13.5 mm

Shape          Round (irregular)

Technique Hammered

Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑

Demonetized Yes

References Mesh Nab# 163