NABONIDUS on HORSEBACK

The Assyrian and Babylonian empires (900 - 539 BCE) covered huge areas which extended through Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria. Whilst parts of Arabia were vassal states, (paying tribute to the ruling king in return for control of their own lands), they didn’t really become part of the empire until the last Babylonian king Nabonidus conquered the area. This was a very logical step as it contained the lucrative Arab oases used by rich caravans while travelling the Incense road. Valuable cargos were traded between the Southern Arabian kingdoms, up through Arabia before eventually leading to Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Mediterranean and the Levant.

The Harran Stele (ancient stone tablet in cuneiform script) records Nabonidus’ military triumphs. Written as his own account, it records him roaming between Tayma, Dadan (AlUla), Faddak (AlHa’it), Hibra (Khaybar), Yadi and Yathrib (Madinah) for 10 years around 552 BCE. This is important as it’s the point at which caravans would split, going east to Mesopotamia or north to Egypt and the Mediterranean.
 
Traveling between the oases would have taken days over varying landscapes which can quickly change from sand to dark volcanic rock and high canyons. Nabonidus is likely to have travelled on horseback for some of these journeys, as detailed in a stunning rock drawing in the desert near Tayma. Ever one to see these things for myself, I went in search.

The desert was sublime, pale sand covered in flowers and huge areas of flat bedrock, punctuated by tall red outcrops; sitting on top were a rainbow mix of tiny pebbles. Could this area have once been under water? The geology is fascinating. We also passed wild thyme, one of the herbs used in the middle eastern spice mix zaatar.
  
Eventually we came to the massive rock. At one end there is a long line of Thamudic writing, which I’m told is Malik Babl – ‘King of Babylon’. Further along is a warrior on horseback. The horse’s legs are raised, giving the impression of galloping, and the rider is of typical Mesopotamian style with rounded hat and long beard. Was this really Nabonidus? The Thamudic script stating ‘King Babl’, certainly adds weight to the theory.

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has activated several sites in Tayma, including Bir Haddaj, one of the largest wells in the Arabian peninsula. In the nearby gift shop much of the merchandise is adorned with our warrior on horseback.

There’s a lot more to Nabonidus’ stay in Arabia 2,500 years ago: one theory is that his stay may have been for religious reasons. The rock reliefs in the ancient oasis of Faddak are truly amazing and hold some interesting clues. More on those soon…