ABOUT THE NEW SILVER COINS RELATED TO THE NABATAEAN MINISTER “SYLLAEUS”

Abstract

The aim of this research is to provide a comprehensive review of the available information on Syllaeus, an official of the Nabataean empire, and his probable date of death. Only two contemporaneous sources, Strabo and Flavius Josephus, mention Syllaeus and his activities. The article discusses the original sources in detail and the context in which they were written, which has led to various conjectures in scholarly literature that lack evidence. In addition, the research reveals the publication of two previously unknown Jordan National Bank coins from Syllaeus's collection, shedding lighter on his life. The study suggests that both the Romans and King Aretas IV showed an interest in having Syllaeus executed in Rome.