• from Fortresses d'Orient

Raban is located on a tributary of the right bank of the Euphrates, the Araban Cay, between Kaisun and Dùlùk. Controlling the river crossing as well as the road linking Ranculat to Marash, this ancient Byzantine frontier citadel, belonged at the time of the foundation of the County of Edessa to the Armenian Kogh Vasil (Basil the Robber), as did the citadel of Kaisun.

In 1112, following a dispute between Kogh Vasil and the prince of Antioch Tancred, the latter stormed Raban, but returned the place, not wanting to push the skirmish further. The same year, both lords were to die. The citadel then returned to Vasil Dgh'a, adopted son of Kogh Vasil. The latter, fearing Frankish claims on his principality, chose to ally himself with the atabeg Aq Sonqor Bursuqui (father of Zengi). Noting the enfeoffment, Baldwin of Bourg seized the place in 1115, not without difficulty. On April 3, 1150, Raban was abducted by Sultan Mas'ûd.

Burned by the Mongols in the 13th century, it returned for a time to the kingdom of Armenia before falling again under Muslim rule in the second half of the 13th century.