Malichus II ( or ) was ruler of Nabatea from 40 to 70 AD.

He was the son of Aretas IV and Huldu.

Biography Malichus' reign is sometimes perceived as a period of declining Nabataean power, but this view depends in part on Nabataea having controlled Damascus in the period 34–40.Riesner, Rainer (1998) Paul's Early Period Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1998 pg 81-82Gerd Ludemann (2002) Paul: The Founder of Christianity pg 38Alpass, Peter (2013) The Religious Life of Nabataea BRILL pg 175 The Romans had, however, diverted the routes of spice and perfume cargo shipments to Egypt. Rome was very powerful, so Malichus cooperated. In 66, a Jewish revolt occurred in Judaea. Malichus sent 5,000 cavalry and 1,000 infantry to help the Caesar Titus crush the rebellion. This act was documented by Flavius Josephus in his book "De bello Judaico".

Malichus II died in AD 70Jane Taylor: Petra And the Lost Kingdom of the Nabataeans. I. B. Tauris 2001, , p. 73 ()and was probably burried in the al-Mahkamah tomb that was converted in AD 446 into a church. He was succeeded by his son, Rabbel II Soter, initially under the regency of his widowed queen (and half sister by his fathers second marriage to Suqailat) Šagīlat II.

See also List of rulers of Nabatea

References

Sources Jane Taylor: Petra And the Lost Kingdom of the Nabataeans. I. B. Tauris 2001, , p. 73 () Maria Giulia Amadasi, Eugenia Equini Schneider: Petra. University of Chicago Press 2002, , p. 40, 94, 166, 168, 170 ()