The Tomb of Sextius Florentinus

After Petra was annexed by the Roman Empire around the turn of the second century AD, Nabataean life in the city generally went on as usual. The tomb of Sextius Florentinus was built during Petra’s Roman period. It was named after the Roman Governor of the Province of Arabia, who was in office at the time of Hadrian in AD 127. A Latin dedication inscription above the doorway reveals that the tomb was built by the son of Sextius Florentinus, the Roman governor of Arabia, in accordance with his father's will. The façade's design combines Nabataean and Roman elements, demonstrating the impact of time on the city and its architecture. A carved head of a fertility goddess can be seen on the segmented pediment, which is crowned by an eroded eagle. In the interior, five deep tomb shafts (loculi) have been carved into the back wall, as well as three larger burial chambers on the right side. A niche in the rear wall was carved to hold idols.


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