Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who was made the King of Israel by the Romans?
Who was made the King of Israel by the Romans?
Herod
Where is Masada situated?
Where is Masada situated?
On a high rock in the Judean desert
What did Herod build on Masada to create a water supply system?
What did Herod build on Masada to create a water supply system?
A series of cisterns
What group of freedom fighters decided to kill themselves rather than submit to Roman rule at Masada?
What group of freedom fighters decided to kill themselves rather than submit to Roman rule at Masada?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was the Roman General who conquered Jerusalem in 70 CE?
Who was the Roman General who conquered Jerusalem in 70 CE?
Signup and view all the answers
How many men were in the Tenth Legion led by the Roman governor Flavius Silva?
How many men were in the Tenth Legion led by the Roman governor Flavius Silva?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was the leader of the defenders at Masada?
Who was the leader of the defenders at Masada?
Signup and view all the answers
How many people died by their own hands at Masada?
How many people died by their own hands at Masada?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the defenders leave untouched to show their preference for death over enslavement?
What did the defenders leave untouched to show their preference for death over enslavement?
Signup and view all the answers
Who had fortified the summit of Masada during the latter part of the first century BCE?
Who had fortified the summit of Masada during the latter part of the first century BCE?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the Romans build around Masada as part of their attack?
What did the Romans build around Masada as part of their attack?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Elazar ben Ya’ir urge his followers to do when he realized the end was near?
What did Elazar ben Ya’ir urge his followers to do when he realized the end was near?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the people do after embracing their wives and children?
What did the people do after embracing their wives and children?
Signup and view all the answers
How many men were chosen to take the lives of their comrades according to casting of lots?
How many men were chosen to take the lives of their comrades according to casting of lots?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the last surviving warrior do as the final act at Masada?
What did the last surviving warrior do as the final act at Masada?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Learn about the rule of Herod and the fortress at Masada, as well as the historical context of Israel in that period.
