Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-21

mael, the brother of Isaac, who was
sent out into the desert on account
of the jealousy of Sarah, and settled
upon this mighty rock. founding II
nation that was to awe its cOntcm-
poraricS in later times. llagar his
mother, had inspired her son with
hatred Of all men. for she had been
treated most cruelty. sent out into the
desert with her little boy and Jar
Of water and loaf Of breau. She
had no love for mankind in her
breast, and her son was noted as
mighty hunter among men.
II was to his uncle, IShmael. that
Esau, the rough and wild brother of
Jacob. fled when his mother, Rebecca.
made 1t unpleasant for him at home,
after the flight of her favorite. Jacob.
who had deceived his brother and his
father, and it is no wonder that Jacob
was afraid, when, after spending
twenty years with his maternal uncle,
Laban, he returned to face the hosts
of his fierce brother.
But Esau surprised him by his
brotherly feeling, and all went well
So far as he was concerned.
1t was quite otherwise with the car
ayans which passed between Egypt
and ASSyria. whose main route lay
near the city Of Scla From its
mighty fortreSScS the hordeS came
down in haste and fell upon the treas
urcS being transported from one
country to the other, never hcSitating
to shay if they must, and bearing to
their homes the gold. the silk and
wool. the ebony carvings, all that the
merchants might be carrying, or that
SOvercignS might In sending from
Egypt to ASSyria. and vice versa
II is known from the Tel Amarna
tablets, written in ASSyrian, but dis
covered in Egypt. that the relations
between these great countries were
most intimate, intermarriages be
tween princes and princeSScS of both
lands being entered into to preserve
the peace. and many expeditions
passing near the rock fortress during
each year.
II was i'm this way that the Naba-
teams built up an enormous wealth.
gathering around them the widest,
and at the same time. the most al
vcnturous spirits of their day. and
prcying upon the richest commerce
of their age.
1t is recorded i'm the Bible us one of
the great victories of AmaZiah. King
of Jerusalem, in the ninth century
h. c., that he succeeded in conquer
iDu tho E6nmitpg panturad Ca1a tho
capital and cast from the steep of
the rock" ten thousand Captives who
were dashed into pieces on the rocks
below. He gave new name to Sela
at this time, as was the custom, and
it was then known as JeChteel. but
Is not again mentioned by that name
in history.
The reputed wealth stored in Sela
was 50 great that it attracted the at
tention Of Antigonus the Syrian mon
arch. and he sent his general.
AthencS, to take it captive (S12 Il. c.
There was only one way in which
he could capture this fortress. stand
ing rs it did hundreds of feet above
the plain and accessible only by
steep dctilcS through the rocks. and
that was TO watch until the men
were away This he did. but no
sooner had he taken possession than
the men returned, and, aided by their
better knowledge of the place, he in
turn was surprised and his entire
force maSSacred. The NabateauS then
sent magnificent presents to the mon
arch. begging that they be allowed to
continue their commerce and agree
ing to pay heavy tax.
The son Of AntigonuS. DemetriuS.
tried. too. to capture Petra. as it was
now called. but he failed miSerably,
the tax was no longer paid. aud Il
mighty kingdom was formed once
more under the hradShip of the
Nabateans. with Petra as the capital.
Ii included all Of what is known as
Arabia Felix and the HauUan, that
part Of Palestine lying east of the
River Jordan
The first king Of this great power
WIS AretaS l.. who is mentioned in
the book of II. Maccahees, and was
succeeded by three kings of the same
name and by other monarchs up 10