cleopatra and antony had the support of various allied kings. conflict between cleopatra and herod had previously erupted and an earthquake in judea provided an excuse for him and his forces not to be present at actium in support of the couple. they also lost the support of malichus i of nabataea, which would prove to have strategic consequences. antony and cleopatra lost several skirmishes against octavian around actium during the summer of 31 bc. defections to octavian's camp continued, including antony's long-time companion quintus dellius. the allied kings also began to defect to octavian's side, starting with amyntas of galatia and deiotaros of paphlagonia. while some in antony's camp suggested abandoning the naval conflict to retreat inland and face octavian in the greek interior, cleopatra urged for a naval confrontation to keep octavian's fleet away from egypt.