THE BASILEION OF ISIS AND THE RELIGIOUS ART OF NABATAEAN PETRA

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This article examines the cult ofT sis and the use of the Isis basileion in the iconography of Nabataean Petra. It is argued that the deity should not be viewed as a foreigner in the city, and that the variety in the use of her iconography, across both the aniconic and anthropomorphic spheres, is representative of how we should approach the rest of Petra s idols. Firstly, the idea that the aniconic and anthropomorphic modes of representation had some kind of opposing significance cannot be maintained, particularly in light of the sculptural arrangement of the sanctuary of Isis in the Wadi Siyyagh. Secondly, it allows us an insight into how Petra s geometric idols ( betyls ), whose multitude offorms have puzzled scholars for generations, were perceived by worshippers. Instead of reducing the complexity of forms represented and attempting to equate these with Petra s better known deities, we should rather emphasise the variety in these monuments and what they show us of the personal significance of gods in Petra and N abataea.

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Syria

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Syria