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Massada....
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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. An ostracon was found on the floor with inscription, “priestly tithe.”The back room served as a genizah.
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Surrounded on all sides by deep ravines, overlooking the
Dead Sea and cut off from civilization by the
Judean desert, the fortress of Masada was built for the personal needs of
King Herod.
Having usurped the throne with
Roman support, Herod was worried that either the Jews or the Romans would try to overthrow him, so he built for himself this private, luxurious fortress-palace. |
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Herod had several private bathhouses built at Masada. The caldarium depicted here had a heavy floor suspended on 200 pillars. Outside the room a furnace would sent hot air under the floor. When water was placed on the floor, steam was created. Pipes were built into the walls to help to heat the room. |
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About 70 years after Herod's death, Jewish Zealots turned Masada into their final bastion. The
Romans, in their desire to lower Jewish morale, sent several legions to Masada.
Their aim: to destroy the 960 men, women children who had fled
Jerusalem after the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Unable to live their lives in the tradition of their forefathers, the defenders of Masada chose to die at their own hand rather than fall into the hands of the
Romans and fall into slavery.
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