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The Greeks attacked the Nabataeans one night in the summer of 311 BC, when the men were at a tribal meeting and only the elderly, the women and children remained with the possessions. The attackers killed many defenseless, and hastily departed with frankincense, myrrh and over 13 tons of silver. However, the Nabataean troops quickly learned of the raid and inflicted devastating losses on the Greeks in a surprise attack on their Dead Sea camp.
In a letter to Antigonus, the Nabataeans complained and justified their counterattack. Antigonus claimed that the raid was made without his order and assured them of his friendship. But after a while he sent his son Demetrius with 4,000 foot soldiers and over 4,000 mounted men to punish the Nabataeans. But these were able to bring themselves and their belongings to safety in time. The Nabataeans made it clear to the attackers that a longer siege was hopeless in view of the lack of water and food and persuaded them to withdraw, also by giving them "gifts".
Antigonus wanted at least to bring the exploitation of asphalt from the Dead Sea under his control. He commissioned Hieronymus of Cardia (the author of the report) to do so, but his soldiers were crushingly defeated by the Nabataeans.