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So was brainstorming with Cuauhtemoc last night about a Nabataean Kingdom having more success in its time period, and so here is a rough TL of what we had so far.


116 BC
The increasing decay and destruction of the Selecuid Empire reaches a new highpoint with a civil war bewteen Antiochus VIII Epiphanes and Antiochus IX Eusebes over control over the crumbling remants of the empire. With this new internal turmoil in the Selecuid Empire, John Hyrcanus, Hasmonean ruler of Judea takes the opportunity to expand Judea's control over the surrounding principalities.

110 BC POD
Wishing to invade Madaba and Shechem, he looks south to the Nabataean Kingdom under Rabbel I who obliges with a force under his successor Arteas II. Arteas II is quite wary of the ambition of the Hyrcanus, that only grows upon meeting the man and gleaming what exactly Hyrcanus plans for those within and without of Judea. Therefore, Arteas II betrays Hyrcanus and in an ambush kills Hyrcanus and the Hasmonean forces outside of Madaba, marching back into Judea, Arteas II invades Judea along with reinforcements from Nabatea, establishing rule over the region.

100-89 BC
Remembering the Macabee Revolt, the Nabataeans institute a more religious tolerant attitude towards the Jews, allowing them their high priest and control over such affairs within Jeruselum which comes to head in a peaceful, deflation of the influence of the more hardliner rabbis who decry the rule of pagans. Once Arteas II takes rule in 100BC he continues conquest of Judea, expanding and consolidating Nabatea's long held control over the trade routes through the Levant and Arabia. During this time his dealings with the Parthians, Egypt, Selecuids, and the Romans was cordial as he maintained a policy of neutrality besides the larger powers to his south and east. He also notably begins a long policy of encouraging fellow Arabians to migrate into the fertile region of the Levant and their Hellenization as Petra was rebuilt and soon grew to over 20,000 residents.

89 BC-83 BC

Arteas II dies of sickness in 89BC, the throne of Nabatea goes to Obodas I who looks northward into Syria where the feuding family factions invite him to make one of them ruler of Syria. Instead Obodas I opts to invade Syria and take it for himself, putting down the carcass of the Selecuid Empire which to all neighbors is something of a relief as the violence in the region finally ends. Remants of the Selecuid family flee to the surrounding empires, kept in their backpocket to be useful pawns if the need ever came for a revitalized Selecuid puppet. The much enlargened Nabataean Kingdom would provide a rich target when attacked by Armenian King, Tigranes.
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