Masada, Day 5

Here's a link that gives a basic overview of what happened at Masada. Jews have long considered it a place to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the Jewish Zealots who committed suicide there rather than fall to the Romans. Now there is more controversy as to whether the mass suicide should be honored in that way, especially since the women and children were killed and did not kill themselves. This was one of my favorite places to visit. I would have liked it even more if we had had time to climb to the top instead of riding the cable car.


http://mosaic.lk.net/g-masada.html


We rode a giant cable car over 900 feet up to get to the top of Masada. Until the cable car was built, the climb was quite a challenge for visitors. The cable car was a challenge for me because I'm claustrophobic, and they literally pack it with people until not another one will fit. It was strange because seeing the big drop didn't bother me at all, but looking around me in the car at all the people did. I kept my gaze out the window.

This is one of the views from atop Masada. The Dead Sea is in the distance, but it was undoubtedly much closer back then.

King Herod (the Crazy) had his many slaves build this little city as a place for him to reatreat to if the need should arrise. It took them 10 years to build it all, and he only lived there 15 days in all his life.

This is looking down on the three levels of Herod's palace. His slaves would carry him up Masada and down to the levels of his palace.

Walking down to Herod's palace

This is looking up from the lowest level of Herod's palace.

When the 1,000 Jewish Zealots sought refuge here, they found much use of all Herod's stores. He had enough water to last them 10 years in sisterns and huge store rooms full of food.

There are so many ruins, that I didn't realize that the actual buildings in the days they were built would have looked a lot prettier and more finished. This shows how they may have been finished before those layers washed away.

That square below Masada is one of many sights where the Romans set up camp as they attacked Masada from below.

These rocks were thrown down onto the Romans. Jon's not quite strong enough.

We rode the cable car back down. Yuck.