Category:Siege of Gamla (event)

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The Siege of Gamla refers to the conquest of Gamla by the Romans during the Jewish War.

Overview

Before moving toward Jerusalem, the Roman army led by Vespasian completed the reconquest of the rebel cities in Galilee. After the destruction of Jotapata (where Josephus was captured), the siege of Gamla was the last major operation in the region.

According to Josephus, our main witness, the siege of Gamla developed in four distinct phases. At first the legionaries of the Legio V attacked from the northeast in two spots, near the towers and near the synagogue. After a fierce battle they managed to breach the wall using a battering ram. The second phase begun when the Romans that broke in, and were forced to fight an uphill battle in the narrow streets and alleys, near the northern wall. They were unable to manoeuvre because their comrades were crowding behind them. The legionaries then climbed on the roofs of the houses which were built in terraces up the hillside. Under their weights the houses collapsed one on the other. Many Romans died buried in the rubble and chocked to death by the dust. The defenders counterattacked causing panic between the Romans who did strike each other. The Romans had to retire. The third phase started some days later, when the legionaries of the Legio XV attacked from the northwest, on the crossing between the southern wall and the cliff on the west during the night. They dislodged some stones from the base of the large tower which collapsed. The following morning the Romans reentered the town. Once more the fight developed in carnage, street after street, till the Romans reached the citadel. The last phase consisted in the conquest of the uphill citadel. The defenders that were not killed by the Roman soldiers throw themselves from the citadel walls. Only two women are said to have survived the battle.

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