Petra is called the Rose Red City because the rocks surrounding it are rich in Iron, thus giving it a red color and beautiful streaks with the other colored minerals. The city used to be a main crossroad on the ancient camel/Frankincense trail through Arabia. The city has been influenced by the Greeks as well. Greek language used to be the universal language so some inscriptions are in Greek on the walls. There is even reference to some Greek gods on the building entryways such as Medusa. There is also Egyptian influence as the God Isis is also seen. We saw many burial sites, homes, and temples carved out of the rock. We saw a theater that held 3000 people. Not only did we see Roman influence and additions at the theatre, but also on the buildings, along with marks in the stone roads where the metal wheels of the chariots had made permanent grooves. A newer finding, the Lion Temple found in 1981, has winged Griffins carved on it. We also walked past an Atlantic Pistachio tree that is believed to be 450 years old next to the central fountain.