Masada, Israel

Technically speaking, Masada is a mountaintop, accessible by foot or cable cars, and it lays about 1300 feet above the Dead Sea.

But it is so much more than that.  Masada is such a powerful symbol of human strength. 

King Harod built this fortress in the middle of the Judean desert between 37 and 31 BCE.   It was to be his refuge.

Masada included huge storehouses, rain water cisterns,  armory, bathhouses and palaces.

This is Part of Harod's palace.

When the jews revolted against the romans in 66 CE, a group of Jewish rebels overcame the roman garrison which guarded Masada following Harod's death.  The rebels were known as Sicari, because of their dagger (sica).

Following the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the holy temple (70CE), hundreds of Jews joined the sicari at masada.  The mountaintop became their refuge.

In 73 CE, the romans decided to end the resistance at masada by trying to starve the zealots and used every weapon available to break through the fortress.  the zealots managed to keep the romans off the mountaintop for three years, but when it became clear that they were going to be defeated, a heartbreaking plan was made.  Rather than become slaves or die at the hands of the romans, the jewish rebels decided to commit mass suicide.  ten men were chosen as executioners, and finally one Zealot killed the other nine and then fell on his own sword. 

The site of the roman military camp.

 The oldest Synagogue in Israel.

The Dead Sea can be seen in the distance.

Today, "Masada Shall Not Fall Again", is an oath said by the inductees into the Israeli Defense Forces.