Masada (Hebrew for fortress), is situated atop an isolated rock cliff overlooking the Dead Sea. Separated from the mountain range by two deep wadis (gorges). Masada was a natural fortress.
In the years 37-31 BCE, King Herod further fortified Masada and turned it into a luxurious mountain resort. It had steam baths, water cisterns, guard towers, weapons and food warehouses for possible refuge were he to be overthrown, so that he could live his life of exile in luxury.
Some 75 years after Herod’s death, at the beginning of the Revolt of the Jews against the Romans in 66 CE, a group of Jewish rebels overcame the Roman garrison of Masada. After the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple (70 CE) they were joined by zealots and their families who had fled from Jerusalem.
With Masada as their base, they raided and harassed the Romans for two years. Then, in 73 CE, the Roman governor Flavius Silva marched against Masada with the Tenth Legion, auxiliary units and thousands of Jewish prisoners-of-war.
The Romans encamped around the base of Masada to prevent any escapees. Next they began slinging 'live' captive Jews at the fortress by using a catapult, hoping that these onslaughts would cause the rebels to relinquish their stronghold.
When this method failed to work, the Romans forced the remaining captives to build a ramp from the ground up. Upon completion of the ramp in the spring of 74 CE, a huge battering ram was rolled into place, finally penetrating the fortress.
Almost one thousand men, women and children – led by Eleazar ben Ya’ir, decided to end their own lives, rather than be taken alive. When the Romans entered the fort all they found were corpses.
Note! The heroic story of Masada and its dramatic end attracted many explorers to the Judean desert in attempts to locate the remains of the fortress. The site was identified in 1842, but intensive excavations took place only in 1963-65, with the help of hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers from Israel and from many foreign countries, eager to participate in this exciting archeological venture. To them and to Israelis, Masada symbolizes the determination of the Jewish people to be free in its own land.
The main street in modern Arad is named 'Eleazar ben Ya'ir' in tribute.
Masada's fortress can be reached three different ways: 1. From the Dead Sea in the east, via the original and steep "snake path". 2. From the west on a path built from the old Roman ramp. 3. By use of a modern day cable car.