It was not until 105 A.D.that the Nabathean state was conquered by Rome, and the Ishmaelites of northern Arabia transformed into Roman subjects.

They have left their tombs and inscriptions among the rocks of Petra, while the cliffs of the Sinaitic Peninsula are covered with the scrawls of Nabathean travellers.
Southward of the Ishmaelites came the Midianites.

Midianites and Ishmaelites were alike of the same blood.

Both traced their descent from Abraham; it was only on the side of the mother that their origin was different.

While the Ishmaelites claimed connection with Egypt, the Midianites were more purely Arabic in race.