More New Nabatean Lead Issues of Aretas IV

Abstract

Two new Nabatean lead issues of Aretas IV featuring divine attributes (club of Heracles and
Isis headdress) are presented. While the specimens featuring the club suggest the iconographic
influence of Tyre, those with the Isis headdress indicate Egyptian influence. It is suggested that
the Isis headdress of the lead issues and other Nabatean coins may indicate the existence of
Nabatean royal cult modeled on that of the Ptolemaic dynasty.