The NabataeansThe Nabataeans occupied parts of Syria, the steppe between the Jordan River and the Arabian Desert, the Negeb,
and the Sinai west to Egypt. More than 1,000 archaeological sites have been associated with the Nabataeans, as well as thousands of Nabataean Aramaic inscriptions, mostly of a funerary memorial nature. The most well-known Nabataean settlement is Petra in modern-day Jordan.Kings of the Nabataeans had various relationships with the Hasmoneans. Aretas I (170–160 b.c.e.) supported Judas and Jonathan (see 1 Maccabees 5:24–28, 9:35, 15:22) against the Seleucids. During the reign of Aretas II (c. 100 b.c.e.), the Nabataeans came into conflict with Alexander Jannaeus, who captured the port city of Gaza from them. Aretas II’s successor, Obodas I (c. 93–85 b.c.e.), defeated Alexander Jannaeus and gained
control of territory in Moab and Galaaditis (Gilead). Obodas I’s successor, Aretas III (85–62 b.c.e.), continued the struggle against Alexander Jannaeus for control of Moab and Gilead, and succeeded in expanding the reach of Nabataean control into southern Syria. In 63 b.c.e. Aretas III joined forces with Antipater, the ruler of Idumea and father of Herod the Great, to support the Hasmonean dynasty against the Roman general Pompey. Nonetheless, Nabataea was eventually brought under the control of Rome.