Aretas I (/ˈærɪtəs/;^[1] Nabataean Aramaic: 𐢊𐢛𐢞𐢞‎ Ḥārītaṯ; 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 High Priest of Israel who founded a Greek quarter in Jerusalem, was held prisoner by Aretas I after being forced to leave Jerusalem.