From the Seleucid era, the castle's hill played a role under the ancient name "Lysias" to secure the connection between the cities of Laodicea and Apamea.

In 948/9, the commander Abu al-Hagar controlled the castle on behalf of the emir of Aleppo, Sayf al-Dawla.

About 1103, the crusaders from the Principality of Antioch controlled the castle, during the reign of Bohemond I, and it was called "Rochefort".

[1] Ibn al-Athir claimed that the castle's lady was also an informant for Saladin, which is why the family was spared.

[2] After Byzantine rule the castle passed to Ayyubids, who built additional towers in Arabic style.