Petra - Sextius Florentinus Tomb

Following the base of al-Khubtha towards the north-east, the path crosses the partially hidden remains of two lines of city wall.

The inner one is the later, believed to have been built in the late-Roman/early-Byzantine period in the third to fourth centuries, when the city had diminished in both size and renown.
 

A short distance further on are the remains of the earlier wall, and just beyond this, facing due north, is the harmonious façade of the Tomb of Sextius Florentinus, one of the few monuments in Petra whose date is certain. So, too, is the name of the original occupant who was, unusually, a Roman.

A weathered inscription above the doorway dedicates the tomb to 'T. [A]ninius Sextius Florentinus... Legate of Augustus, Propraetor of Arabia, most dutiful father, in accordance with his own will.' It is known that Titus Aninius Sextius Florentinus was governor of the Province of Arabia in AD 127; and since by 130 he had been replaced by one Haterius Nepos, it is assumed that he died in office in Petra in 128/9.

He must have loved the place to wish to be buried here.