The Zealots in Masada

In my previous post I discussed Herod’s monumental achievement of building his palaces and refuge atop the Masada Mountain. This mountain was about to become a symbol of heroism. It was to become a symbol of the continuing human struggle between oppression and liberty.

The Big Revolt began in 66 AD and in 67 AD the Romans came with two legions and re-conquered the Judea Province.

A group of fanatic Jews that survived the battle of Gamla in the North fled southwards and found refuge in Masada after they surprised the Romans that were stationed there and conquered the Masada fortress from them.

In 70 AD the Romans destroyed the Holy Temple and the city of Jerusalem and continued to the South putting down, one by one, the ‘fires of rebellion. They now faced the last Jewish stronghold in Masada.

They put a siege on Masada, believing the siege would cause the Jews to surrender, but that did not happen. The supplies and water on the mountain were far more than the Romans could ever imagine. It was the Roman legions that suffered from lack of supplies. Their biggest problem was ensuring a steady flow of supplies, food and water to their army – 10,000 soldiers!! They had daily convoys of supplies and water brought to their soldiers. The commander of the 10th legion Silva, understood that he will need to build a ramp in order to get to the top of the mountain. He began to do so from the West side of the mountain and put on the ramp a tower with a ‘battering ram’ until they succeeded to break through the walls of the fortress. That was in 73 AD.

To their surprise they were met with dead silence when they entered the fortress, where they found all the people dead, after what seemed like a mass suicide.

Much of the detail we know today is thanks to the documentation of Josephus Flavius.

Enjoy the video.