Nakhlites

The Nakhlites were an ancient Arab people who inhabited the region of northern Arabia, particularly around the city of Petra in modern-day Jordan. They are primarily known through their association with the Nabataeans, a related but distinct Semitic civilization that flourished in the same area. The term "Nakhlite" itself is not as commonly used in historical discourse as "Nabataean," and the precise relationship between these groups remains a subject of scholarly discussion. Some theories suggest the Nakhlites may have been an earlier or a more localized group within the broader Nabataean cultural sphere, or perhaps a confederation of tribes that contributed to the formation of the Nabataean state.

Evidence for the Nakhlites is often inferred from inscriptions and archaeological findings in the Nabataean heartland. Their presence is suggested by certain cultural markers and linguistic similarities. It is believed they played a role in the caravan trade routes that were crucial to the prosperity of the Nabataean kingdom, controlling segments of the incense and spice routes that connected Arabia with the Mediterranean world. The exact extent of their political autonomy or influence is unclear, but their existence highlights the complex tribal and cultural landscape of ancient northern Arabia. The decline of Nabataean power, and by extension any associated groups like the Nakhlites, is often attributed to Roman annexation of the region in 106 CE.