Rabbel II Soter
King of the Nabataean Kingdom (ruled AD 70-106)
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Rabbel II Soter (Nabataean Aramaic: 𐢛𐢃𐢁𐢐 𐢅𐢌 𐢁𐢊𐢍𐢌 𐢈𐢝𐢍𐢉𐢂 𐢗𐢓𐢆, romanized: Rabʾēl dī ʾaḥyēy wa-šēzīb ʿammeh,[1][2] "Rabbel, who gave life and deliverance to his people") was the last ruler of the Nabataean Kingdom, ruling from 70 to 106.[3][4] His name as transcribed in Arabic is رب أيل Rabb ʾayl.[5]
| Rabbel II Soter | |
|---|---|
| King of the Nabataean Kingdom | |
Silver drachm of Rabbel II with Shaqilat II | |
| Reign | 70-106 AD |
| Predecessor | Malichus II |
| Successor | Nabataean Kingdom conquered by Trajan |
| Regent | Shaqilath II (70-76 AD) |
| Died | 106 AD |
| Spouses | Queen Gamilath (76-102 AD) Queen Hagaru (102-106 AD) |
After the death of his father, Malichus II, Rabbel still a child, ascended to the throne. His mother, Shaqilath II, assumed the regency of the Nabataean Kingdom, during the minority of her son Rabel II in 70-76 AD.[6] His sister Gamilath became queen of the Nabataeans. Rabbel gave himself the Greek title "Soter",[3] meaning "Savior".[7] He reigned with his first wife Queen Gamilath and his second wife Queen Hagaru.[8] Gamilat was a queen in 76–102 AD and Hagru was a queen in 102–106.[9]
After his death in 106,[4] the Roman emperor Trajan faced practically no resistance and conquered the kingdom on 22 March 106. It became the Roman province of Arabia Petraea, with Bosra becoming its provincial capital.[3]
