Search Results: Masada

Masada (“fortress” in Hebrew) is a mountain complex in Israel in the Judean desert that overlooks the Dead Sea. It is famous for the last stand of the Zealots (and Sicarii) in the Jewish Revolt against Rome (66-73 CE). Masada...

The Masada (“fortress” in Hebrew) is a mountain complex in Israel in the Judean desert that overlooks the Dead Sea. It was first constructed in the 1st century BCE and renovated by Herod the Great (37-4 BCE).

The Roman assault ramp is located on the western slope of the Masada cliff. It was constructed on a natural spur that abuts the mountain and is composed of stone and earth reinforced with timber bracings. According to Josephus, an ironclad...

Following the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE, Roman Governor Flavius Silva dispatched Legion X Fretensis - a veteran military unit - to eliminate the remaining centre of Jewish resistance at Masada in 72-73 CE. Josephus describes that the Romans...

Constructed during the Herodian period (late 1st century BCE), the Northern Palace (seen here in profile) was built on three slightly modified natural rock terraces. The upper level was mainly used for residential purposes, all originally...

Legio X Fretensis was a legion of the Roman army formed by either Julius Caesar or Augustus. The legion spent most of its existence in the East, primarily in Judea. It participated in Corbulo’s two Armenian campaigns as well as Vespasian...

Titus Flavius Josephus (36-100 CE), was born Yosef ben Matityahu and became a 1st-century CE Jewish historian. He was a member of a priestly household in Jerusalem through his father’s side (the house and order of Jehoiarib), and his mother...

The Kingdom of Israel occupied that part of the land on the Mediterranean Sea known as the Levant which corresponds roughly to the State of Israel of modern times. The region was known, historically, as part of Canaan, as Phoenicia, as Palestine...

Herod I, or Herod the Great (c. 75 – 4 BCE), was the king of Judea who ruled as a client of Rome. He has gained lasting infamy as the 'slaughterer of the innocents' as recounted in the New Testament's book of Mathew. Herod was, though, a...

In ancient warfare open battles were the preferred mode of meeting the enemy, but sometimes, when defenders took a stand within their well-fortified city or military camp, siege warfare became a necessity, despite its high expense in money...