arabia petraea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/Very LowAcademic, Historical, Technical
Quick answer
What does “arabia petraea” mean?
A Roman province (established in the 2nd century CE) in the northwestern region of the Arabian Peninsula, corresponding roughly to modern-day Jordan, southern Syria, the Sinai Peninsula, and northwestern Saudi Arabia. The name means "Rocky Arabia".
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Roman province (established in the 2nd century CE) in the northwestern region of the Arabian Peninsula, corresponding roughly to modern-day Jordan, southern Syria, the Sinai Peninsula, and northwestern Saudi Arabia. The name means "Rocky Arabia".
A historical and geographical term used to denote the specific arid, rocky region of the Arabian Peninsula distinguished from Arabia Deserta (desert interior) and Arabia Felix (fertile south). In modern usage, it appears primarily in historical, archaeological, and classical studies contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, spelling, or meaning. Both varieties use it identically as a historical term.
Connotations
None beyond its academic/historical context.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, limited to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “arabia petraea” in a Sentence
[Arabia Petraea] was a [Roman province].The annexation of [Arabia Petraea] occurred in 106 CE.[Arabia Petraea] corresponded to the [Nabataean Kingdom].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arabia petraea” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The region was formally annexed to become Arabia Petraea.
- Rome sought to secure the trade routes running through Arabia Petraea.
American English
- The region was formally annexed to become Arabia Petraea.
- Rome sought to secure the trade routes running through Arabia Petraea.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The Arabia Petraean frontier was heavily fortified.
- An Arabia Petraean inscription was discovered.
American English
- The Arabia Petraean frontier was heavily fortified.
- An Arabia Petraean inscription was discovered.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Standard term in Roman history, classical archaeology, and ancient Near Eastern studies. E.g., 'The economic role of Arabia Petraea in the Roman trade network.'
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Used in historical geography, epigraphy (study of inscriptions), and academic works on the Roman Empire's eastern frontiers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arabia petraea”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arabia petraea”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arabia petraea”
- Misspelling as 'Arabia Petraia' or 'Arabia Petrea'.
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing 'Pet' instead of the second syllable ('tre'/'trai').
- Using it as a current geographical term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It was a Roman province. Its territory is now part of several modern nations, primarily Jordan, but also Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Israel/Egypt (Sinai).
In British English, it is commonly /pɪˈtriː.ə/ (pih-TREE-uh). In American English, it is often /pəˈtreɪ.ə/ (puh-TRAY-uh). Both are acceptable in academic circles.
Roman geographers often divided the Arabian Peninsula into three: Arabia Petraea (Rocky Arabia, NW), Arabia Deserta (Desert Arabia, interior/North), and Arabia Felix (Fertile/Fortunate Arabia, South, modern Yemen).
Almost exclusively when reading, writing, or discussing the history of the Roman Empire in the Near East, the Nabataeans, or the archaeology of the Levant/Jordan region. It is not a term for general use.
A Roman province (established in the 2nd century CE) in the northwestern region of the Arabian Peninsula, corresponding roughly to modern-day Jordan, southern Syria, the Sinai Peninsula, and northwestern Saudi Arabia. The name means "Rocky Arabia".
Arabia petraea is usually academic, historical, technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of PETRA, the famous rock-cut city (Petra), which was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom that became part of Arabia Petraea – so 'Petra' is in the name.
Conceptual Metaphor
None applicable for this proper noun.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Petraea' in 'Arabia Petraea' refer to?