POTD 06/05/2009 http://www.bestfoto.com/
Gamla, a site inhabited since the Early Bronze Age, became the capital of the Jewish Golan from 87 BCE to 68 CE when it was sacked by the Romans. 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.
He describes the Roman siege under the command of Vespasian which led to its conquest in 67 CE, by the Legion 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.
According to Josephus, some 4,000 inhabitants were slaughtered, while 5,000 others, while trying to escape down the steep northern slope, were either trampled to death or fell, perhaps threw themselves.