Caves

Abstract

~The Arbel Cliffs hang over the sea of Galilee, and its natural caves were used as shelters for rebels against Herod, fortress during the revolt against the Romans and was fortified again in later periods. The ruins of a Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine villages lie below the cliffs and on its south-western side. Joseph Ben-Matityahu (Josephus Flavius), who at the time headed the entire region, used Arbel to hide from King Herod. A little later, during the Jewish rebellion against the Romans, Arbel was fortified and once again participated in battle.