Old historical texts refer to the Golan extension of the slopes of Mt. Hermon. Latin references mention Golan as the area north of River Jordan between the slopes of Mt. Hermon and the River Yarmouk (HEROMAX). The Golan was known for its fertility and pastoral meadows frequented by kettles since the year 2000 B.C. Since ancient times the Golan had fortified cities and sites such as Banias and Fiq.During the Canaanite period Banias was known as Laish and most probably it was capital of an Aramaic kingdom /Beit Rahoub/. The region of Banias had had relations with the Canaanite, the Amorite and the Aramaic kingdoms. In Dan there are ruins that belong to the Aramaic god "Hadad" . Fiq was mentioned in many historical texts and in the Bible.

Greek and Arab geographers mentioned Fiq as a strategic point Auzip (afiqa), and Yaqout al Hamwi (AFiq. Fiq and Deir Fiq.)In the seventh century A.D. Golan became a theater for many military operations that preceded the vital Yarmouk battle 636 A.D. which took place in the Golan.In this battle the Arabs defeated the Byzantine military force and later led to the conquest of Damascus. After the completion of the Islamic Arab conquest “Bilad al Sham” (Greater Syria) was divided into five defensive areas called Ajndas (forts). Golan was one of them. This confirms the fact that since the Islamic conquest Golan history was indivisible of that of Damascus. During the Crusades, several Golan cities : Banias, jasem, fiq and Tiberia were strongholds that protected Golan from Crusade incursions .Banias was the largest. It had a castle called Sabiba. Banias and Sabiba formed the first defensive line of Damascus. Arabs controlled them during all crusade campaigns, and from there Saladin led his army towards Hittin near Tiberia to win the decisive battle against the crusaders in 1187 A.D. Tiberia , one of the most important towns of the Golan, became a fort and defended Damascus, another proof that the history of Tibaria is strongly linked with the history of Damascus, A main road linked Tiberia to Damascus passing through Alkeswa ,Jasem and fiq. Tiberia become the center of cultural activity in “Bilad al Sham” where many researchers excelled in collecting the speeches of theprophet Mohammad,writing books about hereditary origins of Arab tribes,and in writing biographies for many local Tabarani scholars. Tiberia fell to the crusaders and was liberated by Saladin after the battle Hittin.
People of the Golan participated in the Arab revolution, 1916 against the Ottomans and in the Syrian revolution against the French occupation. Many prominent figures from the Golan participated in the battle of 1921 and 1926 like Ahmad Mrewed and Mohammad Al Fa’our .Since 1948 the date of the declaration of Israel, people of the Golan fought hard against Israeli incursions. Many of them were killed defending their villages and farms. In 1967 the people of Majdel Shams resisted the Israeli forces defiantly, so the Israelis couldn’t enter the town before burning it.

• Next