Category:Iraq al-Amir (subject)
Iraq al-Amir was the estate of the Tobiads in trans-Jordan.
Overview
The narrow fertile valley of Wadi Essair was the estate of the powerful Israelite family of the Tobiads.
At the beginning of the 2nd century BCE, during the reign of Seleucus IV Philopator, the Tobiad Hyrcanus built at Iraq al Amir a monumental palace, which is known as Qasr al-Abd (Palace of the Slave). The palace, which has a northern and southern entrance, is of two level and is adorned with protruding statues of eagles and lions. The ground level was used as storage and quarters for guards, however the top level was never completed. According to Josephus, Hyrcanus fortified himself inside his castle, fearing to be caught by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and ended his life having slew himself with his own sword in 175 BCE (Ant. 12:4:11). The palace was then devastated by the great earthquake of 362 CE.
Near the palace is the burial place of the Tobiads (Iraq El-Amir, or Cave of the Prince). It is a complex of eleven caves carved into the cliff face.
Iraq al-Amir in ancient sources
Iraq al-Amir in Scholarship
Excavations and restorations at Iraq al-Amir has been made in different times by P. Lapp (1963), E. Will, F. Larché, F. Zayadine e F. Villeneuve (1975-1986).
Iraq al-Amir in Fiction
Related categories
External links
Pages in category "Iraq al-Amir (subject)"
The following 4 pages are in this category, out of 4 total.