The Siege of Masada (73 AD) - Last Stand of the Great Jewish Revolt

In 73 AD Masada, the impregnable mountain fortress in the Judaean desert, stood as the final holdout against the onslaught of Rome’s legions. The siege that followed would mark the final, bloody suppression of the Jewish revolt with an encounter whose awe inspiring remains can still be seen in the desert today!

HD Drone Footage provided by JPWorthington Media

Literary Sources:
"The Jewish Revolt" by Si Sheppard
"The Forts of Judaea" by Samuel Rocca
"Legions of Rome" by Stephen Dando-Collins
"Uniforms of the Roman World" by Kevin Kiley

Game Engine:
Total War: Rome II

Game Mods:
Devide et Impera
Legions of Rome

[LethalOwl]

Having personally walked up the ramp the Romans built, I can say it was quite the odd experience. And to walk the grounds and ruins of Masada, still standing, was very humbling. To think that 2000 years earlier, it was the site of such an event, was very hard to fathom while there.

[InkyMEDIC]

Sun Tzu Art of War, "Always leave an exit for the enemy to leave."

Roman doctrine, "Surround them, for they were already dead."

[-andyk-]

That's incredible. Just imagine being on that hill and seeing the Romans working tirelessly day and night to build that ramp. The ramp slowly growing and edging closer to your walls. That must have been terrifying! Crazy.

[sgtjarhead]

I had the good fortune of actually visiting Masada after Desert Storm ended. On the way back to the states, our ship stopped in Israel for a few days and many of us took tours to the site. Was really awe inspiring seeing the remnants of the fort and that incredible ramp. The amount of work it took was mind blowing when you consider they had no modern, mechanized equipment.

[shaydowsith]

In regard to "corn"- this word originally in English meant a variety of grains: wheat, barley and rye, as well as maiz, which is what is now referred to as "corn" as we know it today. So the folks at Masada were not storing Maiz, which is native to the western hemisphere. They had wheat, barley or rye.

[Valivali]

If you ever let the Romans start to build, you were in for a wild ride.

[yoaryknot]

This fortress was originally built by Herod as one of his palace complexes (he had several). It is estimated that he had enough water on top of Masada to supply 10, 000 men for 10 years. He had collected this water in cisterns at the base of Masada, but no one knows how he actually got all this water to the cisterns at the top of Masada. The are remains of shinning pools (a common practice for Herod) as well as hot water and steam baths. This place as well as so much in Israel is awe-inspiring.

[dood]

i live in a small town in israel called arad which is like a 20 min car ride away from mesada. ive been to mesada more times then i can count and i have to say your video is more informative and entertaining then all the different tours ive had there. you gave me a new found appreciation for this small desert fortress near my home which is packed full of history

[InvictaHistory]

As with every documentary video, I'd also like to thank everyone for their support. A TON of resources and effort went into this documentary and I hope you enjoy. Next, I think I have my eyes on the Siege of Jerusalem which is a siege carried out on an even more epic scale. In the near future I will continue to cover various battles of classical antiquity but have super secret plans about expanding this scope. Stay tuned for that... trust me it will be epic : )

[donfelipe]

You have to admire the Roman "can do" attitude towards things, sometimes their siege works were just as formidable and extensive as the fortresses they were besieging.

[markwatts]

On entering, ...the Roman General said..."we have won a rock in the desert"

[maconescotland]

The 1981 TV mini series "Masada" is well worth watching - with quality actors like Peter O'Toole, Anthony Quayle, Peter Strauss and David Warner. We visited the site a few years ago which made it all the more interesting - the Roman camp layout is still clearly visible after the best part of 2000 years.

[yankeehill]

I've hiked up Masada and I gotta say, it's really something to see

[ArtilleryAffictionado]

people speaking against jews, against romans and shit and i´m just sitting here like how the fuck did they manage to do these things, the entire landscape was shaped by this battle and remains so to this day, 2, 000 years

[fishinspace]

Most empires: We should retreat and come back when properly equipped

Rome: AINT NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT, I want a huge ass ramp going to the top of that town. Come on move it along ladies we only have 2 months

[SurprisinglyDynamicAnimeSideC]

Guy Who Established Masada: "It took nearly my whole life, but I've finally found the most impenetrable location for a city imaginable. If the Romans could barely defeat us at Jerusalem, they'll _never_ stop us now!"

_(a few years later)_

Guy Who Established Masada: "Ha! How will you kill us now, Romans?! What are you gonna do: Build _another_ mountain?!"

Romans: _(proceed to build another mountain)_

Guy Who Established Masada: "Oh y-you think you're s-s-s-so _smart!_ But how can you kill us *if we're already dead?!"*

[lyinarbaeldeth]

This was how Rome built an empire. They didn't just outfight you; they outbuilt you. (and more often than not, out-atrocitied you)

[bravozero]

I dont think people truly understand how strong the Roman army was

[lagos]

Jewish: Haha! We have high ground!
Romans: *Proceed to build the high ground*

[davidrobins]

My daughter took me to Israel as a Christmas gift. We spent 10 wonderful days there and visited Masada - one of the bucket list items. That visit - as with every other place we visited - we deeply moving for me because of my 48 years as a Christian pastor. Places and events in the Bible came to life for me. Thank you Shauna.