Quote:King James Bible
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
2 Cor 11 32
Aretas III of Nabatea did occupy Damascus for about 20 years until Gnaeus Pompey reached the area in 64 BC and kicked him out. Aretas IV of Nabatea, who died in 40 AD, never occupied Damascus which was part of what the Romans called "The Decapolis."
Xtians will try to sprain their scrotums giving Damascus to this later Aretas but it doesn't work historically. He is last seen in history fleeing from the army of the Governor of Syria, Lucius Vitellius, c 37 AD after attacking Herod Antipas. Attacking a Roman ally was almost never a good idea and the only thing that saved Aretas IV at that time was the death of Tiberius. Vitellius stopped his pursuit awaiting new orders from Caligula.
