Antipater the Idumean, a rich Idumean and an influential person in the Judean politics had a very big dislike of Aristobulus and preferred Hyrcanus as king, for this reason he spoke with Hyrcanus, convincing him to fight for the crown, and spoke to Aretas III, king of the Nabataeans about the great qualities of Hyrcanus and his birthright and convinced him to support Hyrcanus, who at one night escaped and arrived in Petra, capital of the Nabataeans, where he gave many gifts to please Aretas, as well as making a deal with Aretas that he shall return Nabataea 12 cities that were taken from them by his father Alexander Jannaeus.