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Gamla

Also known as Gamala, el-Ahdab, es Salam
View from airplane of a ridge surrounded on three sides by valleys, the hills are mainly brown with some scattered plants

Aerial View

Known sometimes as the “Masada of the North,” Gamla is most famous for its strong defense against the Romans in the Jewish Revolt in AD 66. The site is bordered on all sides by deep wadis of the Golan Heights and is approachable by only one footpath from the northeast. The earliest settlement was in the Early Bronze Age and the site was reinhabited by returning exiles from Babylon. Herod the Great settled Jews here to populate his border cities.

Eastern Wall

The natural defenses of Gamla mean that only the eastern side needed to be protected against invaders. In AD 66, Jewish rebels fortified this wall in advance of the Roman march across Galilee. Earlier in the century, the founder of the Zealots, Judas of Gamla led an uprising in AD 6. Gamaliel referenced this in the trial of the apostles as one of many unsuccessful attempts at rebellion (Acts 5:37).

A grassy slope with a stone path leading up to a roofless, stone structure with walls dividing the space into different rooms

Breach in Wall

The Roman general Vespasian attacked the city with three Roman legions and after a month, they penetrated the city’s defenses. However, the men of Gamla killed many of the attackers and the Romans withdrew. A few days later, a second breakthrough was made and the Romans succeeded in capturing the city. Josephus reports that the Roman victory cost 9,000 Jewish lives.

Synagogue

Near the city’s entrance stood the synagogue, one of the earliest known in Israel (early 1st century AD). This synagogue was built in the typical “Galilean” style with three rows of columns, tiers of side benches, heart-shaped corner pillars and an alcove for Torah scrolls in the northwest corner. A mikveh (ritual bath) was found near the synagogue.

A view overlooking a valley that comes to a point at one end where a tall narrow waterfall streams down the cliff

Nahal Gamla Waterfall

This waterfall in Nahal Gamla drops 167 feet (51 m), forming the highest perennial waterfall in the country.

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Related Websites

For other examples of fortresses, see Masada and Herodium.

Gamla (Jewish Magazine) An in-depth look at Gamla, with an emphasis on its history.

Gamala (Virtual Religion) A brief, encyclopedia-type article with multiple links to related words and topics for further study.

Flavius Josephus, “The Wars of the Jews” (University of Chicago) Links to the section of Josephus’s The Wars of the Jews entitled, “The Siege and Taking of Gamala.”

Gamla (Jewish Virtual Library) Discusses the archaeological remains of the ancient city and the light they shed on details of the life and death of its inhabitants.

Gamala (Josephus.org) Excavation information for the site.

Gamla, the Camel-Backed Mountain (The Times of Israel) A good introduction to the history of the site, along with a few photographs.

The Ancient Synagogue in Gamla (Historical Sites in Israel) Detailed photographs and information about the synagogue excavated at the site.

Yahudiya Nature Reserve – Gamla (official site) Helpful for those looking to visit the site, with details about the ancient city, waterfall, and dolmens.