Gamla

Click map for larger image Red dot represents the location of the site

Gamla is a city situated on a ridge of volcanic mountains in an area called the Golan. It dates to the time of Joshua, about 5,000 years ago. It is walled, and is accessable by one trail only, which runs along the top of the ridge, and is walked by tourists today. Most of what is known about the people of Gamla comes from the writings of Josephus, a Jewish historian. The most interesting stories come from the year 66AD. The city was occupied by Jews participating in the revolt against the Roman Empire. King Agrippa's army laid siege of the city for seven months before more legions were called in. With reinforcements, the Romans breached the wall, where they were met with fierce resistance from the Jews. The Romans were eventually successful, and more than 9,000 Jews were killed, some committing suicide rather than fall into Roman hands.

The remaining ruins include the wall and fortifications, the place where the Romans breached that wall, and evidence of the fierce battle (ballista stones, arrow heads, and nails). Also discovered through excavation are the remains of a beautiful synagogue just inside the city gate. It was dated to the time of Harod's rule, and it is possible Jesus would have taught here as he traveled through the Galilee region.

Today, this site is disputed as the actual site of the Gamla revolt because of variation between the remains found, and Josephus's descriptions. However, the site remains as a memorial to that event.

Also pictured here at Gamla are megalithic structures known as dolmens, meaning "stone table" in ancient Celtic. They served as graves and are dated around 4000 years ago. Excavations have yielded bones, pottery fragments, and metal objects. About 200 dolmens have been found in the immediate area, and many others scattered throughout the Golan.

Walk with God at Gamla
The Jews involved in the revolt against the Romans were called Zealots, and opposed both the Pharisees and the Sadducees in that the Torah alone stood as the Law, the true authority for living. They used violence and military tactics to enforce these views, and expected a military Messiah. Some speculate that Judas Iscariot, Jesus' betrayer, was a Zealot, and was trying to force Jesus to take his rightful place as the King of Israel. But, Jesus represented a different tactic to the militant Zealots, one of love, peace, and forgiveness. His message was made even clearer by its contrast with the Zealot perspective that had a large following in Galilee. It presented a choice of alternatives to the people of Israel...and also to us.
-That the World May Know video series

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