Aretas I

Aretas I /ˈærɪtəs/ (Arabic: حارثة‎ Ḥārthah; Greek: Αρέτας Arétās) is the first known King of the Nabataeans. His name appeared on the oldest Nabataean inscription dating from 168 BC which was found at Halutza. He is also mentioned in the deuterocanonical book 2 Maccabees (5:8). This book presents how Jason, the grand priest who founded a Greek quarter in Jerusalem, was held prisoner by Aretas I after being forced to leave Jerusalem.

Sources disagree on his successor's identity :

• Malichus I 144 BC-110 BC,
• Rabbel I whose ruling time would have begun in 140 BC.

• Jewish Virtual Library