Masada
Standing tall in the South District of Israel overlooking the Dead Sea is a site of ancient palaces and fortifications known as Masada. Carved in to an isolated rock plateau, the site contained cliffs as high as 1,300 feet, casemate walls, towers, storehouses, barracks, armory, two luxurious palaces, a Roman bathhouse, a synagogue and twelve huge cisterns. Three winding paths led to the fortified gates (although today visitors have the option to use the cable car). The fortress was originally constructed during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (103–76 BCE) and later expanded by Herod the Great between 37 and 31 BCE as a refuge for himself in case a revolt broke out. However, Masada saw its greatest moment of despair years later. In 66 CE, a group of Jewish extremists called the Sicarii and their families fled Jerusalem after the destruction of the Second Temple during the First Jewish-Roman War. Commanded by Elazar ben Ya'ir, the group barracked themselves at Masada, mocking the ...