Masada

King of Israel

• Herod was appointed as the King of Israel by the Romans.

Location of Masada

• Masada is situated on a plateau in the Judean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea.

Water Supply System at Masada

• Herod constructed an elaborate water supply system at Masada, which included cisterns and aqueducts to harvest rainwater.

Freedom Fighters at Masada

• The Sicarii, a group of Jewish zealots, chose to commit mass suicide rather than surrender to Roman rule at Masada.

Roman General in Jerusalem

• General Titus, son of Emperor Vespasian, conquered Jerusalem in 70 CE.

Tenth Legion Strength

• The Tenth Legion, commanded by Roman governor Flavius Silva, comprised about 8,000 men during the siege of Masada.

Defender Leader at Masada

• Elazar ben Ya’ir led the defenders at Masada.

Death Toll at Masada

• Approximately 960 people died by their own hands during the siege at Masada.

Untouched Relics of Masada

• The defenders left food supplies untouched to signify their preference for death over enslavement.

Fortification of Masada

• Herod fortified the summit of Masada during the latter part of the first century BCE to create a quasi-imperial stronghold.

Roman Attack Strategy

• The Romans constructed a siege ramp around Masada as part of their assault strategy.

Elazar ben Ya’ir's Urge

• As defeat loomed, Elazar ben Ya’ir urged his followers to consider death over disgrace.

Final Moments of the Defenders

• After embracing their wives and children, the defenders prepared for their final act.

Selection for Death

• Ten men were chosen by lot to take the lives of their comrades, ensuring a swift death for the group.

Last Act at Masada

• The last surviving warrior at Masada committed suicide as a final act, ending the tragedy of the siege.