 The
fortress of Masada was located near the western shore of the Dead Sea. It
is called "strongest of all" fortresses in Ant. 14.11.7;
296 and was originally constructed during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus.
Herod's family and supporters, about 800 in number, took refuge at Masada
during the three-year reign of the Hasmonean Antigonus (Ant. 14.14.6-15.3;
390-412; War 1.15.1-6; 286-302). After he became king, Herod expanded
and renovated the fortress at Masada. Josephus  describes
the fortress at Masada as follows, "After following this perilous track
for thirty stadia (one stadion = c. 185 m.), one reaches the summit, which,
instead of tapering to a sharp peak, expands into a plain. On this plateau
the high priest Jonathan first erected a fortress and called it Masada;
the subsequent planning of the place engaged the serious attention of King
Herod." (War 7.284-86). Josephus then goes on to describe the details
of Herod's expansion of Masada (War 7.286-94). Herod encloded the
entire summit with a wall seven stadia long, twelve cubits high (one cubit
= c. .5 meter) and eight cubits thick. The wall included thirty-seven towers,
from which access to rooms built into the exterior wall was possible. Herod
built a system of large cisterns to collect the little rain water that fell;
the result was a ample supply of water year round. He also built storehouses
for food and wine, which he kept fully stocked. On the northwest, Herod
built a palace, which included, among other things, a bathhouse. At the
extreme north of the summit is located a three-tiered private palace or
villa for Herod's personal use. |
