Halboun which was mentioned as Chalybon (Greek: Χαλυβάν) by Ptolemy and Strabo, was famous for its fine wine, in which it was considered as a luxury to the Persian kings in the Eber-Nari satrapy of the Achaemenid Empire.[3]
There are several Roman ruins found in Halboun, most famously the inscriptions which date back to the reign of Herod Agrippa II.[4]
J. E. Hanauer wrote in 1909 that the inhabitants of Helbon were reputed to be "foolish", noting that the tales highlighting their silliness closely mirrored those about the residents of Deir es-Sinneh, near Siloam.[5]
