MASADA

Ancient fortress and national symbol for Israel. Masada has a legendary status in Israeli mentality. Here the fight for Israeli and Jewish independence was fought with such a strength and fidelity, that the people taking this as their last resort, chose to die rather than surrender to the Romans. With the fall of Masada, the state of Israel came to an end for a period of almost 1,900 years. Moreover, the Masada has an exceptional geographical setting,- one independent mountain rising up a couple of hundred metres, surrounded by breathtaking nature, overlooking most of the Dead Sea.

The people of Masada were a group of about 1,000 Zealots, including women and children. The Zealots were a group known for strong sentiments and great involvement.

HISTORY:
1st century BC: The Judean king Herod the Great has Masada built, due to the threat that Egypt and Cleopatra represents. The Masada is constructed with all facilities.
4 BC: Masada is captured at Herod's death, and turned into a Roman garrison.
66 AD: Captured by the Zealots.
70: When Jerusalem falls into Roman hands, the Zealots take refuge in Masada. The Romans respond with besieging the fortress.
73: As the Romans have a huge earth assault ramp built from west over to the summit of Masada, the Zealots realizes that their defeat is near. Their leader, Eleazar Ben Yair, orders that all Zealots are to be killed. They hold a lottery [the part that pertains to our discussion in Ancient Rituals for a New Medium] 10 men are chosen by lot to kill the others, then another drawing to choose which one of the remaining 10 kills the rest, and then he commits suicide.
1963-65: The Masada is excavated, and has ever since been a tourist attraction, in addition to the position it enjoys as Israeli national symbol.
partial content and graphics Copyright 1997 CiAS
By: Tore Kjeilen.of CiAS

Return to Ancient Rituals for a New Medium
Stroll down the Cat's Alley relive Big Events for the North Bay Multimedia Association.

This page last updated March 11, 2003