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1882
Volume 68, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 0081-8933
  • E-ISSN: 2507-0428

Abstract

Abstract

Various interpretations have been offered about the territorial changes of Provincia Arabia, especially those affecting its border with Palaestina. The problem is further complicated by the issue of the creation of Palaestina Salutaris. An often-accepted opinion regards the regions east and west of the 'Aravah as two separate units that changed hands from one province to the other at different times. A more extreme view, expressed not long ago, maintains that the Negev with the Sinai Peninsula and southern Transjordan moved back and forth between Arabia and Palaestina, now together, now separately, six times during the ninety years between 300 and 390 CE, at the end of which period Palaestina Salutaris came into existence from a split of Arabia. New epigraphic finds, and a critical examination of the ancient sources, show that both opinions are incorrect. No territorial changes occurred between Palestine and Arabia after the transfer of southern Transjordan, the Negev and most of the Sinai Peninsula from Arabia to Palaestina under the Tetrarchy. Internal changes occurred in Palaestina, with the creation of Palaestina Salutaris ca. 357/8. The office of governor of Palaestina Salutaris was discontinued for some years in the 380s, until the reconstitution of this province ca. 389/90, some years before the creation of Palaestina Secunda in the early 5th century.

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