The Bathhouse 7 – Bathhouses were an integral part of Roman culture, that was brought to Judea by King Herod. Enter Masada’s Roman-style bathhouse via a pastoral courtyard surrounded by columns. A model of the bathhouse located in the courtyard shows its original appearance and use. Enter the dressing room ( apoditerium ), with its floor paved with unique triangular stones ( opus sectile ) and its fresco-adorned walls. During the revolt, benches made out of column drums were installed in this room, along with an immersion bath. During the Great Revolt, a bench (built from column drums) was installed along the wall and an immersion pool was built. Moving into the tepid room ( tepidarium ) you’ll see remarkably preserved frescoes. On the right, steps led down to the cold water pool in the cold room ( fridgedarium ). Continue through the original arched entrance to the hot room ( caldarium ). This room had a double floor, known as a hypocaust. The upper floor stood on stone and brick columns. Hot air flowed under the upper floor and rose through clay pipes embedded in the walls. In one corner of the room, a portion of the floor and wall has been restored. Nearby was a bath to which hot water was channeled. The room was originally decorated with frescoes and stucco reliefs and had a wide arched ceiling. Leaving the hot room through an opening in the wall created for visitors, you’ll pass the bathhouse oven. Continue to the right through the corridor of the storerooms toward the place where the “lots” were found. Findspot of the “lots” 8 – A number of ostraca (inscriptions on pottery sherds) were discovered here. One group contained names, among them “Ben Yair,” the name of the commander of the Sicarii. Yigael Yadin connected this group of ostraca with the lots that Josephus says were cast by the rebels on their last night.
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