Antigonid–Nabataean confrontations
Antigonid–Nabataean confrontations | |
---|---|
Part of Nabataea | |
Result | Nabataean victory |
Athenaeus
Demetrius I
Hieronymus
4,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry (second confrontation)
small expedition (third confrontation)
unknown (second confrontation)
6,000 infantry (third confrontation)
few killed (second confrontation)
most of expedition killed (third confrontation)
unknown (second confrontation)
none (third confrontation)
The Antigonid–Nabataean confrontations were three confrontations initiated by Greek general
Reaching Edom, just north of Petra, Antigonus became aware of the wealth of the Nabataeans, generated from the spice trade caravans. The three raids against the Nabateans either came to nothing or ended in disaster for the Greeks.[2]
Background
After
The Nabataeans generated wealth from the trade route that passed through their capital, Petra.
First confrontation
Antigonus appointed one of his officers, Athenaeus, to attack the Nabataeans and take their herds as booty. Athenaeus marched with 4000 men and 600 horsemen into Petra, Nabataea's stronghold, during the night time while the Nabataean men were away trading.[1] Coming from Judea and after 3 travel days across 160 km, Athenaeus captured the place easily as only women and children were present, and the troops loaded themselves with as much frankincense and myrrh as their animals allowed and stole around 13.7 tonnes of silver.[1]
The Nabataean women and children found they were taken to be sold as slaves.
The Nabataeans sent a letter of complaint in Aramaic, the lingua franca of the ancient Middle East, to Antigonus. The letter argued that the Nabataeans did not want war but were forced to attack the Greeks in self-defence. Antigonus replied that Athenaeus had acted on his own and that Nabataeans were indeed excused.[3] This was a ruse however, which led to the second confrontation.[4]
Second confrontation
Despite what Antigonus had said to the Nabataeans, he then sent his son Demetrius with 4000 horsemen and 4000 infantry to march towards Nabataea.[3] The force was lightly armed and was equipped with food provisions. However, the Nabataeans regarded Antigonus's previous letter with mistrust and had established outposts atop a mountain.[3] After three days, the Greeks assembled for battle only to find the Arabs fully prepared. They had sent away their herds and massed what remained of their wealth atop a high mountain that was held by fighters who managed to repel a number of assaults.[3]
By the next day, Demetrius, known to the Greek world as "the Besieger", demanded political prisoners and precious gifts to be provided as tribute.[1] However, he did not receive the demanded tribute and withdrew. Plutarch, a Greek historian, later wrote that "by Demetrius's cool and resolute leadership he so overawed the barbarians that he captured from them 700 camels and great quantities of booty and returned in safety".[1]
Third confrontation
After Demetrius's unsuccessful engagement with the Nabataeans, he stayed by the Dead Sea to learn more about its bitumen industry.[3] Residues of bitumen used to randomly float to the surface; inhabitants of the area, including the Nabataeans, would go out in boats to collect the samples, which were a highly priced commodity in the ancient world.[1] Demetrius reported to his father on this profitable industry and how it could be harnessed to support his imperialist ambitions. Antigonus sent an expedition led by Hieronymus to the Dead Sea.[3] The Nabataeans, furious at another Greek incursion, killed most of the expedition with arrow-fire. In light of this defeat, Antigonus abandoned his plans, as he was occupied with more important matters.[3]
Aftermath
During the
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-86064-508-2. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-993152-1. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-78346-381-7. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
- ^ "LacusCurtius • Diodorus Siculus — Book XIX Chapters 73‑101". penelope.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ISBN 978-1-317-29635-5. Retrieved 10 July 2016.