Capital of the Ammonites

In the heart of modern-day Jordan lies Amman, a bustling capital built upon ancient foundations. Once known as Rabbath Ammon, it was the proud capital of the Ammonites, a Semitic people who thrived east of the Jordan River from the 13th to 6th centuries BCE. Their city was a stronghold—both politically and militarily—positioned strategically on the highlands to defend against surrounding powers.

Rabbah features prominently in the Bible, especially in the story of King David. While David remained in Jerusalem, his army laid siege to the Ammonite capital, marking one of the most dramatic chapters in the Old Testament. The city fell and was absorbed into the growing Israelite kingdom, solidifying its place in ancient military and religious history.

The city transformed over centuries—renamed Philadelphia by the Greeks, developed by Romans, and reshaped by Islamic rulers. Each layer added temples, theaters, and forts, many of which still echo in today’s Amman Citadel, a historic site overlooking the modern city.

Today’s Amman is a vibrant mix of old and new, where Roman columns and glass towers share the skyline. But beneath it all lies Rabbath Ammon, a reminder that even the most modern cities often stand on the bones of forgotten kingdoms.