Masada is an ancient fortification in the Southern District of Israel situated on top of an isolated rock plateau, akin to a mesa.
| FactSnippet No. 1,300,769 |
10 Facts About Masada
3.
The Roman legion surrounded Masada, building a circumvallation wall and then a siege ramp against the western face of the plateau.
| FactSnippet No. 1,300,771 |
4.
Masada was last occupied during the Byzantine period, when a small church was established at the site.
| FactSnippet No. 1,300,772 |
5.
Site of Masada was identified in 1838 by Americans Edward Robinson and Eli Smith, and in 1842, American missionary Samuel W Wolcott and the English painter W Tipping were the first moderns to climb it.
| FactSnippet No. 1,300,773 |
6.
Masada was extensively excavated between 1963 and 1965 by an expedition led by Israeli archaeologist and former military Chief-of-Staff Yigael Yadin.
| FactSnippet No. 1,300,774 |
7.
The meter-high circumvallation wall that the Romans built around Masada can be seen, together with eight Roman siege camps just outside this wall.
| FactSnippet No. 1,300,775 |
8.
An example of Herodian architecture, Masada was the first site Herod the Great fortified after he gained control of his kingdom.
| FactSnippet No. 1,300,776 |
9.
The Northern Palace is one of Herod's more lavish palace-fortresses, and was built on the hilltop on the north side of Masada and continues two levels down, over the end of the cliffs.
| FactSnippet No. 1,300,777 |
10.
Masada story was the inspiration for the "Masada plan" devised by the British during the Mandate era.
| FactSnippet No. 1,300,778 |