File:בשורת הסתיו בגמלא.jpg

English: In the photo: Drimia blossom in ancient Gamla heralds the fall. Looking west toward the remains of the ancient Jewish settlement of Gamla and the Sea of ​​Galilee.

Photographed by Assaf Avraham

Gamla was an ancient Jewish city on the Golan Heights. During the Great Revolt, it became an important stronghold for rebels and because of this Gamla is a symbol of heroism for the modern state of Israel and an important historical and archaeological site. It was one of only five cities in the Galilee and Golan who stood against Vespasian's legions, Josephus Flavius gives a very detailed topographical description of the city and the steep ravines which precluded the need to build a wall around it.

Josephus also provides a detailed description of the Roman siege and conquest of Gamla in 67 CE by components of legions. The Romans first attempted to take the city by means of a siege ramp, but were repulsed by the defenders. Only on the second attempt did the Romans succeed in breaching the walls at three different locations and invading the city. They then engaged the Jewish defenders in hand-to-hand combat up the steep hill. Fighting in the cramped streets from an inferior position, the Roman soldiers attempted to defend themselves from the roofs. These subsequently collapsed under the heavy weight, killing many soldiers[11] and forcing a Roman retreat. The legionnaires re-entered the town a few days later, eventually beating Jewish resistance and completing the capture of Gamla.