European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 4, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse Israel / visitors above explore the remains of Masada. Those who Don t want to make the hike can take a Cable car right to the history continued from Page 3 this mind set of military preparedness. The Mountaintop fortress of Masada near the dead sea was the site of the last stand of the jews before defeat by Rome paralysed the Center of Judaism jewish Independence sovereignty for almost 2,000 years. Irr Jerusalem the mount of remembrance chronicles the events that led to the holocaust remembers the 6 million victims of nazi Germany s attempt to remove the jews from Earth forever. The events at Masada marked the end of the ancient jewish civilization. The creators of the holocaust intended to do the same thing. Instead the calamity led to the creation of the modern state of Israel. Brawl soldiers sometimes take their oath of allegiance at Masada swearing Quot Masada shall not fall they leave the mount of remembrance better understanding the israeli National pledge Quot never fear was the driving Force that motivated Herod the great to build the Mountaintop fortress Masada a fear of being overthrown by the jews themselves fear of being deposed by Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. Just How afraid is evident by the View through the windows of the red yellow Cable cars that haul tourists 1,350 feet to the top of the plateau rising Over the dead sea Jordan Valley. This Guy did not like Surprise guests. But if Herod s fears caused Masada to be created Genius was in charge of the planning construction. Masada is about 12 Miles South of the dead sea town of Ein Gedi a 90-minute drive from Jerusalem. It is part of a series of Flattop Cliffs that make up the Western v Border of the Judean desert. Steep wadis on the North South West make Masada almost inaccessible Herod icing of Judea from 37 to 4 b.c., was on Rome s payroll had reason to fear his israeli subjects. So he built Masada just in Case. From a Rock plateau 2,145 feet Long 990 feet wide he constructed a City with its own water system supplied by reservoirs that trapped rare desert rainfall. A three tier Palace was built Over the Northern face top of the plateau on top a heated Bathhouse elaborate food storage system were installed. It was made secure by the difficult climb to reach the top the Stone Wall surrounding the Summit 37 guard towers. Masada s effectiveness As a fortress was not tested until after the romans occupied the site upon Herod s death four years before the birth of s4s Jesus. Herod the great s youngest son Herod antipas was ruler when Jesus died. A inept administration by Herod s successors led to a popular revolt against Rome in . 66. The rebellion was quelled four years later except for about 1,000 rebels who had seized Masada from Rome. They held out three years had sufficient food water for a longer siege when 15,000 roman soldiers prepared a final attack. Defeat was inevitable however the jews chose death by systematic suicide rather than submission to Rome. When the romans arrived they found the bodies of 967 men women children. After the suicides Masada was largely desolate abandoned until Quot rediscovered Quot by explorers in the 19th Century. It underwent archaeological excavation in the 1960s. There Are two approaches to Masada today. The most popular is from the dead sea South of Ein Gedi. A restaurant restrooms souvenir shop Are at the foot of the Mountain. Visitors can take a Cable car ride to the top or a 45-minute hike up the Snake Trail a Switchback path that can be Tough going under a hot Sun Best to make this hike Early in the Day. Masada can be reached from the West via the town of Arad where there is a parking lot a cafeteria. Also available on the West Side is an hour Long nighttime Light sound show that tells Masada s Story in an open air theater facing the Mountain. 4 stripes Magazine March 4, 1993
