Rabba

For the Talmudic amora of the same name, see Rabbah bar Nahmani. For the midrashim, see Midrash Rabba.

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.

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.[1] It is possibly the site of biblical Moabite city Ar.

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.

Ecclesiastical History

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.

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 :

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.

References

  1. ↑ Parker, S., DARMC, R. Talbert, S. Gillies, T. Elliott, J. Becker. "Places: 697632 (Areopolis)". Pleiades. Retrieved August 6, 2014.

Sources and External links

Coordinates: 31°16′N 35°44′E / 31.267°N 35.733°E / 31.267; 35.733


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