The summit of Masada sits 190 feet (58 m) above sea level and about 1,500 feet (460 m) above the level of the Dead Sea. The mountain itself is 1,950 feet (600 m) long, 650 feet (200 m) wide, 4,250 feet (1,330 m) in circumference, and encompasses 23 acres (9 ha). The “Snake Path” climbs 900 feet (280 m) in elevation. From the west, the difference in height is 225 feet (70 m).
Masada
Masada from northwest
Masada Storehouses
Fifteen long storerooms kept essential provisions for the time of siege. Herod filled with them with food and weapons. Each storeroom held a different commodity, as attested by different storage jars and inscriptions on jars in rooms. One of the most interesting finds was wine bottles, sent to Herod from Italy.
1st Century Synagogue
This synagogue was found in the first season of Yadin’s excavations. No Second Temple period synagogues were known at the time. Many coins from the Jewish Revolt were found here, as well as an ostracon (found on the floor) with the inscription, “priestly tithe.” The back room served as a genizah.
Herod's Bathhouse
Siege Ramp
Siege Camp
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Related Websites
At BiblePlaces.com, see the related sites of the Dead Sea, En Gedi, Qumran, Qumran Caves, Jericho, and the Judean Wilderness.
Masada Desert Fortress (Jewish Virtual Library) Gives a detailed history of the site and descriptions of many of the important archaeological features of the huge fortress.
The Masada Siege (Bible History Daily) A brief article discussing especially the Roman siege.
Masada: Symbol of Jewish Freedom (Israel MFA) Gives greater insight into the meaning behind the last stand at Masada for the Jewish people today.
Masada (The Israeli Mosaic) Contains informative sections on the geographic description, history, archaeology, and getting there. Links throughout allow for in-depth study.
Masada (Into His Own) A brief, encyclopedia-type article with multiple links to related words and topics for further study.
Josephus, War of the Jews: Book VII (uchicago.edu) Read the story of Masada in the words of Josephus. Chapters 8–10 deal specifically with Masada.
Masada, Tragic Fortress in the Sky (Times of Israel) A fairly lengthy article about the site, and an interesting read if you can ignore the over-abundant ads.
Masada (Encyclopaedia of the Orient) This brief article offers a re-telling of the legendary story along with a timeline of historical events.
Masada (SMU, Donald D. Binder) Focuses on the synagogue on top of Masada. It highlights archaeological findings and other interesting facts, including several detailed black-and-white photos with excellent descriptions.
Masada—A Place of Sanctuary, Suicide, and Inspiration (Wayne Stiles) This article includes several photos, history, and a devotional thought.
Masada (Zionism and Israel) This article is quite long, and gives the classic history of Masada, along with some arguments against it, even calling it a myth. Offers a unique perspective, compared to much of what is linked here.
From Shrine to Forum: Masada and the Politics of Jewish Extremism (brandeis.edu) For those interested, this 19-page PDF article by Theodore Sasson and Shaul Kelner discusses Masada especially in the context of the Oslo Accords, including “implications for the study of political culture and collective memory.”
Masada essays (Jerusalem Post, listed on PaleoJudaica) Four 2019 articles on Masada, including one by Jodi Magness.