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Rabba (Arabic: الربة) is a town in Jordan in the Karak Governorate. As Ancient Areopolis it's a former bishopric and present Latin Catholic titular see.
Contents
- Map of Rabba Jordan
- History
- Historical references
- Archaeological Remains
- Ancient Bishopric
- Titular see
- Geography
- Population
- Economy
- References
Map of Rabba, Jordan
It is about 15 kilometers away from the city of Al Karak itself. It has a population of about 9,000.
History
Rabba has been known as Rabbath Moab. In the Hellenistic and Roman times it was called Areopolis. ( Greek name). It was one of the two leading cities of the Karek Plateau at this time.
Historical references
Areopolis is mentioned by Ptolemy, Eusebius, who cited the terrrifying nature of the place, Hierocles and Stephen of Byzantium, Sozomen and also the Notitia Dignitatum The town is shown on the Tabula Peutingeriana and the Madaba map and is attested to on numerous milestones. Areopolis also minted its own coin between 193 and 222AD
Archaeological Remains
Rabba is home to Nabatean ruins, which are located along the main street in the center of town. They consist of a temple and a cavernous ancient reservoir. There are many smaller ruins scattered all over town albeit not as extensive.
Ancient Bishopric
Areopolis was important enough in the Late Roman province of Palestina Tertia to become a suffragan of its capital Petra's Metropolitan Archbishopric, but was to fade.
Known Bishops include:
Titular see
In the 18th century, the diocese was nominally restored as a Latin Catholic titular bishopric Areopolis (Areopoli in Curiate Italian) and had the following incumbents of the fitting episcopal (lowest) rank. Bishops include:
In 1903 it was promoted as Titular archbishopric, and as such had the following incumbents of the fitting archiepiscopal (intermediary) rank :
In March 1925 it was demoted back to titular bishopric. It is vacant since decades, having had the following incumbents of fitting episcopal rank :
Geography
Rabba lies on the historical King's Highway. It is situated on a thin semi-fertile plain, giving way to Wadi Ibn Hammad in the west, and the desert in the east. Located near the northern edge of the town is the Farming College, a branch of Mu'tah University.
Population
Rabba was traditionally populated largely by the Majali and Zureikat families, the first of which has considerable political influence in the country. However, since 1948 when Israel was formed, many Palestinians, who left their homes in Palestine settled in Rabba as well, now accounting for about a third of the town's population.
Rabba is known for its friendly, welcoming people, and its world-renowned Jameed and Samneh.
Economy
The economy in Rabba is largely agrarian, and relies greatly on seasonal crops such as wheat and oats. Many people own sheep goats or cattle.