The History of Masada
Sources
The First Fortress The story of Masada was recorded by Josephus Flavius, who was the commander of the Galilee during the Great Revolt and later surrendered at Yodfat and was captured by the Romans. At the time of Masada’s conquest, Josephus was in Rome, where he devoted his life to chronicling the revolt. In spite of the debate surrounding the accuracy of his accounts, his main points seem to have been borne out by excavation. The name “Masada” is mentioned in a divorce document from the time of the Great Revolt, which was discovered in the caves of Wadi Muraba‘at. The name appeared in Aramaic transliteration of a word that means “fortress.” According to Josephus, the first fortress at Masada was built by "Jonathan the High Priest" – apparently the Hasmonean king Alexander Janaeus (103–76 BCE), whose coins were discovered in excavations of the site. Some scholars tend to identify Jonathan with the brother of Judah the Maccabee, who became high priest in 152 BCE. So far, no remains have been discovered at Masada that can be securely dated to the Hasmonean period.
The Herodian Period
Herod, who ruled from 37 BCE to 4 BCE, was well aware of the strategic advantages of Masada. He therefore chose the site as a refuge against his enemies as well as a winter palace. During his reign, luxurious palaces were built here in addition to well-stocked storerooms, cisterns and a casemate wall. After the death of Herod in 4 BCE and the annexation of Judea to the Roman Empire in 6 CE, the Romans stationed a garrison at Masada.
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