The Ancient Citadel of al-Farʿ: a Descriptive and Analytical Study

Abstract This is a study of an ancient citadel whose foundation goes back more than 2000 years. It is located in the village of al-Farʿ, lying to the west of the town of al-ʿĪṣ, along the ancient trade route to Syria known as the Maʾrib–Petra route in ancient times. This study aims to answer several questions behind the construction of this citadel, the choice of its site, the reasons for which it was built, its architectural characteristics, and the antiquities that were discovered within or close to it. It also seeks to discover the connection between the citadel and some nearby architectural remains, such as artesian wells and mines discovered in the nearby mountains, as well as the civilization responsible for their construction.