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'Gamla' (Hebrew 'גמלא' ''Gamla'' or ''Gamala'') was the capital of the Jewish Golan from 87 BCE to 68 CE when it was sacked by the Romans. Its remains can still be seen in the Golan Heights in Israel. The name ''Gamla'' comes from the word ''gamal'', meaning "camel", as it is situated on a hill shaped like a camel's hump.

The city appears to have been a Seleucid fort (2nd century BCE) which later became a civilian settlement. Jews inhabited it from the last quarter of the 2nd century BCE, and under the Hasmonean ruler Alexander Jannaeus in c. 81 BCE was annexed to the Hasmonean state.
Josephus Flavius was the Commander of Galilee during the Jewish Revolt against Rome and in 66 CE fortified Gamla as his main stronghold on the Golan (Antiquities of the Jews 13:394).
He gives a very detailed topographical description of the city and describes the Roman siege under the command of Vespasian which led to its conquest in 67 CE, by the X ''Fretensis''.
The Romans attempted to take the city by means of a siege ramp, but were repulsed by the defenders; only on the second attempt did they succeed in penetrating the fortifications and conquering the city.
Thousands of inhabitants were slaughtered, while others tried to escape down the steep northern slope, many being trampled to death (Josephus, The Jewish War IV, 1-83).There is reason to believe that Josephus exaggerated the numbers. The notion that these inhabitants tried to commit mass-suicide is incorrect, and is based to the similarity to the story of Masada, also recounted by Josephus. The Greek word Josephus used implies a hasty, clumsy flight and not suicide. Suicide is forbidden by Jewish law, and the two sites (Masada and Gamla) are very different.

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Present-day Gamla

See also

External links

Present-day Gamla

Today Gamla is an archaeological site and a nature reserve. It is also home to a large nest of Griffon vultures.

See also

★ Masada

External links

★ Information about Gamla from the Israel Antiquities Authority site

★ Gamla, Archaeology in Israel