The city of Ma'an in Jordan is a remarkable example of a city that has maintained its cultural and historical significance throughout the centuries. Located in the south of the country, Ma'an is the capital of the Ma'an Governorate, and is a major cultural and economic hub in the region. Ma'an is renowned for its rich history, which dates back to the early Iron Age, and has seen numerous civilizations, empires, and dynasties come and go.
The earliest known settlement in Ma'an was established in the 8th century BC by the Edomites, a Semitic people who had migrated from the Arabian Peninsula. The Edomites built a fortress in Ma'an and named it “Ma’an”, which translates to “place of refuge” in their language. The Edomites were eventually conquered by the Assyrians in the 7th century BC, and the city remained under Assyrian rule until the 6th century BC when it was conquered by the Babylonians.
In the 4th century BC, Ma’an was conquered by the Greeks and became part of the Seleucid Empire. The city was later conquered by the Nabateans, a powerful Arabian tribe, in the 2nd century BC. The Nabateans built a great city in Ma’an and named it “Rabbath-Ma’an”, which translates to “the great city of Ma’an”. The Nabateans made Ma’an their capital and it became an important center of trade and commerce.
In the 1st century AD, Ma’an was conquered by the Romans and became part of the Roman province of Arabia Petraea. During the Byzantine period, Ma’an was an important center of Christianity and was home to a number of churches and monasteries. In the 7th century, the city was conquered by the Muslim armies and became part of the Umayyad Caliphate.
In the 12th century, Ma’an was conquered by the Ayyubids and became part of the Mamluk Sultanate. Under Mamluk rule, Ma’an flourished economically and culturally and became an important center of Islamic learning. In the 16th century, the city was conquered by the Ottomans and remained under Ottoman rule until the early 20th century.
Today, Ma’an is a vibrant city with a population of over 100,000 people. It is home to many historical sites, including the ruins of the ancient city of Rabbath-Ma’an, the Mamluk Citadel, the Great Mosque of Ma’an, and the ancient Roman fortifications. Ma’an is also home to several museums, including the Ma’an Museum of Islamic Art, the Ma’an Museum of Natural History, and the Ma’an Museum of Archaeology. The city is renowned for its traditional markets, which sell a variety of local products, including spices, herbs, and handicrafts. Ma’an is also a popular tourist destination, with many visitors coming to explore its rich cultural and historical heritage.