The Templars at this stage were seen as best suited to the important duty of castle guard. In 1136 they were awarded the job of garrisoning fortresses overlooking the dangerous passes in the Amanus Mountains, near Antioch. This was a major strategic responsibility: the Amanus passes were the key routes into Syria from Asia Minor, and controlling them was vital to the security of the county of Edessa and principality of Antioch, as well as the safety of pilgrims coming to Jerusalem overland.
