Petra and the Lost Kingdom of the Nabataeans - Softcover

Taylor, Jane

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1848850204 ISBN 13: 9781848850200

Publisher: I.B. Tauris, 2012

Synopsis

The Nabataean Arabs, one of the most remarkable peoples of the ancient world, are today known only for their hauntingly beautiful rock-carved capital - Petra. Here, in the wild and grand landscapes of southern Jordan they created some of the most prodigious works of man - an entire city hewn out of the mountains. Although their civilization was ignored and almost lost for 1500 years, the Nabataeans were famous in their day and their power extended over great areas of the Biblical Middle East. Though seen most clearly at Petra, vivid traces of Nabataean creativity and control also appear in the Hejaz region of Arabia, among the wild rock formations of Wadi Rum, along trade and pilgrimage routes in the Sinai, and in towns and temples throughout Jordan and into Syria.

The Nabataean flame was snuffed out by the masters of realpolitik of the day - the Romans. But the afterglow of their genius continued to illuminate succeeding generations, long after their name and their kingdom disappeared and Petra ceased to be a major city.
This richly illustrated book recounts the story of a remarkable but lost civilization, and the capacity of its people to adapt and diversify their skills as necessity demanded. It tells of their nomadic origins, the development of their multifaceted culture, their relations with their more famous neighbours and the demise of their kings and kingdom. It also looks at their continued, if nameless, survival as Christians and farmers in the Byzantine Empire.

About this title

About the Author:

Jane Taylor is a writer and photographer whose books include Testament to the Bushman (with Laurens van der Post), High Above Jordan, Petra and Imperial Istanbul (I.B.Tauris, 1998).

Review:

""The Nabataeans created Petra - perhaps the single most astonishing site of the ancient world. Now at last, after two thousand years, Jane Taylor has given them the book they deserve. She has written a valuable and eminently enjoyable text, while her photographs do more than justice to the story of these extraordinary people."" - John Julius Norwich, historian, travel writer and presenter
""I have very much enjoyed Jane Taylor's book on the Nabataeans. She writes marvellously for her audience. She has complete command of her material and obviously loves it. I was deeply impressed by reading the book."" - Professor Glen Bowersock, School of Historical Studies, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University
""A vibrant narrative... The stunning photographs are simply not to be missed."" - Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians
""A full and accessible account of the Nabataean world, which, illuminated by her brilliant photographs, does justice to a great and unjustly forgot ten civilization"" - British Museum Magazine

About this edition

• Publisher: I.B. Tauris
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1848850204
• ISBN 13: 9781848850200
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224