The Syrian Golan: Fīq

Apheka, modern Fīq, is mentioned by Eusebius as a "great village east of Hippos". This is confirmed by Greek writings from the site that also hosts Aramaic inscriptions. With the advent of Islam, Aphek appears on the list of villages and fortresses conquered in 638 C.E. according to al-Balāḏurī's Futūḥ al-Buldān. By the 13th century, the place had acquired the Arabic name Fiq, as attested by Yāqūt. The Arab village was depopulated in 1967 when the Golan was occupied by Israel. Kibbutz Afik was constructed near the abandoned settlement in 1972.

Seen are different views of a naked boy playing with what looks like rattle instruments. This bronze statuette from Fiq is 15 cm in height and 6.3 cm in width. It dates from the first century C.E. and was donated to the National Museum of Damascus by Mr. Georges Daḥdāḥ about 1945.

Thomas M. Weber. Sculptures from Roman Syria in the Syrian National Museum of Damascus. Vol I, from Cities and Villages in Central and Southern Syria. Wernersche Verlagsgesellschaft. Worms. 2006.