110725 Israel - Masada on the Dead Sea

Located on the Southwestern shore of the Dead Sea, Masada was fortified by Herod the Great between 37 and 31 BCE as a refuge for himself in event of a revolt. Occupied by the Romans until 70 when it was taken by a group of Zealots who fled Jerusalem following its destruction by the Romans. The group, numbering almost 1000 survived three years under siege by the Romans. Masada is built on top of an isolated butte with surrounding cliffs ranging from 300 ft to 1300 ft. The Roman siege required construction of a ramp up the 300 ft side.

Masada is located at 31°18′56″N 35°21′13″E

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masada

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/masada.html

http://mosaic.lk.net/g-masada.html

Pictures in this gallery were taken July 26, 2011

Thanks to Jamie and Michelle for organizing a wonderful trip.
Thanks to Bob Thaler of Sea and Air Travel ( http://seaairtravel.com/ ) for travel arrangements.