Category:Oboda (subject)

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Oboda / Avdat was one of the Nabatean Cities (then Roman and Byzantine) in the Negev.

Overview

The city was established by the Nabateans on a mountain ridge in the center of the Negev highlands. Like Elusa, Nessana, Rehovot, Sobata, and Mampsis, Oboda was born as a road station for the caravans along the Incense Route connecting Petra with Gaza.

Oboda was named after the Nabatean king Obodas II, who was worshiped as a deity and according to tradition, was buried there. The city flourished especially during the reign of Aretas IV Philopatris (9 BCE - 40 CE), when the acropolis was fortified and a large temple built within it. Agricultural project were carried out to sustain the population.

At the time of Malichus II, the city was razed by Arab tribes. The city was rebuilt by the last Nabatean king, Rabbel II Soter (70–106 CE).

The Roman conquest of 106 CE brought about new periods of prosperity that continued in the Byzantine period, when the city became renowned mainly for the production of wine. The city was damaged by earthquakes, destroyed by the Persians in 614, and abandoned in the 7th century.

In Depth

External links