Petra Tour: Great Temple
The largest freestanding architectural complex in Petra did not serve religious worship, but was built as a representative royal reception hall, up from the end of the 1st century BC or beginning of the 1st century AD.
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At about the same time as the construction or expansion of the 'Great Temple' during the reign of Aretas IV (9 BC - 40 AD), a royal garden with a water pool (paradeisos) was laid out to the east of it. High-ranking guests could be impressed by presenting them with a lush garden and a large pool in the dry mountain landscape, which was even suitable for swimming. In the first photo above, the area can be seen from the southeast.
The Greeks adopted the idea of such luxurious ornamental gardens for representational purposes from the Persians. They also existed in palaces of Herod the Great, who ruled Judea as a king dependent on Rome from 40/37 to 4 BC. The Nabataeans repeatedly came into conflict with this neighbor and competed with him in their building activities. In the process, they adopted elements of Herodian palace architecture and even seem to have employed craftsmen at the 'Great Temple' who had previously worked for Herod (e.g., at the so-called Baroque Room). The garden and pool complex also shows clear parallels to Herod's palace gardens.
The garden terrace (67 x 53 m) is located about 6 m above Colonnaded Street and was not accessible from it. Adjacent in the southern direction is a complex with a pool measuring about 43 x 24 and 2.5 m deep. In the middle of it stood an island pavilion on a stone base. The interior of the pavilion was designed in such a way that two kline (couches for dining) could be placed opposite each other and the waiters could walk around them.
The garden and pool complex was accessed through the main entrance from the lower temenos and through a southern entrance.
Sources:
Report, Excavations 2003-2005
Report, Excavations 2007-2009
© Photos, summary: Haupt & Binder, Universes in Universe
The largest freestanding architectural complex in Petra did not serve religious worship, but was built as a representative royal reception hall, up from the end of the 1st century BC or beginning of the 1st century AD.
The Petra Garden and Pool Complex, 2003-2005
By Leigh-Ann Bedal, Kathryn L. Gleason, and James G. Schryver.
In: Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 51, Amman 2007, pp. 151-176
Download (checked Jan. 2021)
The Petra Garden and Pool Complex, 2007-2009
By Leigh-Ann Bedal, Kathryn L. Gleason, James G. Schryver.
In: Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 55, Amman 2011, pp. 313-328
Download (checked Jan. 2021)