What is Masada?:
The name Masada comes from the Hebrew mesadah, which means “stronghold.” It was the last and most fortified Jewish fortress during the Jewish War. It is believed that the first fortifications were built here around 150 BCE by Johnathan, brother of Judas Maccabeus, but these were rebuilt and expanded by Herod the Great around 40 BCE.
The name Masada comes from the Hebrew mesadah, which means “stronghold.” It was the last and most fortified Jewish fortress during the Jewish War. It is believed that the first fortifications were built here around 150 BCE by Johnathan, brother of Judas Maccabeus, but these were rebuilt and expanded by Herod the Great around 40 BCE.
Where is Masada?:
Masada is a natural stronghold, being a massive mesa rising 1300 feet above the Judean desert on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Herod built a walled citadel here with immense storehouses for water and food to supply a large garrison. A wall was placed around the entire summit and 37 towers erected. He thought to use this place if ever threatened by either the restless Jews he ruled or his own Roman masters.
Masada is a natural stronghold, being a massive mesa rising 1300 feet above the Judean desert on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Herod built a walled citadel here with immense storehouses for water and food to supply a large garrison. A wall was placed around the entire summit and 37 towers erected. He thought to use this place if ever threatened by either the restless Jews he ruled or his own Roman masters.
Why is Masada important?:
Masada was the last Jewish fortification to fall during the First Jewish War. A group of Sicarii captured it near the beginning of the Revolt and around 960 Zealots — men, women, and children — held out here for years. The Roman X Legion only captured it in 74 CE by laboriously building a huge ramp all the way up to the top. They even forced Jewish laborers to do the work in order to prevent Masada’s defenders from interfering by hurling down rocks.
Masada was the last Jewish fortification to fall during the First Jewish War. A group of Sicarii captured it near the beginning of the Revolt and around 960 Zealots — men, women, and children — held out here for years. The Roman X Legion only captured it in 74 CE by laboriously building a huge ramp all the way up to the top. They even forced Jewish laborers to do the work in order to prevent Masada’s defenders from interfering by hurling down rocks.
The Romans were cheated out of exacting revenge on the Zealots, however, because they all chose to commit suicide rather than fall into their enemies’ hands. The defenders of Masada drew lots to choose 10 men who would kill the others; these ten then drew lots to determine which one of them would kill the rest. Archaeological excavations performed in 1963 discovered eleven pottery fragments with names on them and some believe that these may have been the lots used.
