On the edge of the Arabian Desert,
Petra was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas
IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Masters of water technology, the Nabataeans
provided their city with great tunnel constructions and water chambers. A
theater, modelled on Greek-Roman prototypes, had space for an audience
of 4,000. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high
Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, are impressive
examples of Middle Eastern culture.
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