MASADA
3rd February 2017The name of this impressive mountain with such a significant history is not mentioned in the Bible. The name Masada was first mentioned in the writings of a first century historian, Flavius Josephus. The 434m high mountain is situated by the Dead Sea. It offers breath taking views over the Dead Sea and the mountains of Judah. It is thought that Jonathan Maccabee developed the first settlement on the mountain. Further history of this mountain can be seen in two outstanding phases:
Firstly, in 34 BC in the time of Herod the Great, the settlement on the mountain was conquered and developed it into a luxurious retreat with two palaces. The winter palace consisted of three imposing levels. It had warm baths, supply rooms, underground water tanks, a bakery and countless other features. The mosaic work is outstanding and deserves mention. Herod the Great also enclosed the whole mountain top with an impenetrable wall. Little is known about the development after Herod’s death.
Secondly, following the Jewish uprising in Jerusalem and the Second Temple’s destruction by the Romans in 70 AD, Masada was subjected to a Roman Siege because a group of Jews, known as Zealots, overthrew the Roman garrisons and went to live on Masada.
Under the leadership of Eleazar Ben Yair, a band of 960 Zealots stormed Masada and took control of the mountain. There was sufficient food and water stored to sustain them during the long drought that occurred. After about three years the Romans built a wall around Masada, blocking all escape routes and then constructed an earthen ramp reinforced with wooden beams up to the top of the mountain. Using a battering ram and fire they broke through the walls of Masada only to find that the Jews had committed suicide rather than be captured as Roman slaves.
Die naam van hierdie indrukwekkende berg met betekenisvolle geskiedenis word nie in die Bybel genoem nie. Die naam Masada word vir die eerste keer in skrywes van ‘n geskiedkundige uit die eerste eeu, Flavius Josephus gemeld. Die 434m hoër berg is by die Dooie See geleë. Dit verskaf asemroewende uitsigte oor die Dooie See en berge van Juda. Blykbaar is die eerste nedersetting op die berg deur Jonathan Maccabee ontwikkel. Verdere geskiedenis oor hierdie berg kan gesien word in twee uitstaande fases:-
Eerstens, in 34 v.C., in die tyd van Herodus die Grote, is die nedersetting op die berg oorwin en ontwikkel tot ‘n luukse rusplek met twee paleise. Die winter paleis het uit drie indrukwekkende vlakke bestaan. Dit het warm baddens, voorraadkamers, ondergrondse water tenke, ‘n bakery en verskeie ander hoofpunte. Die mosaïek werk is uitstaande en verdien melding. Herodus die Grote het die bokant van die berg met ‘n ondeurdringbare muur ingekamp. Min is na die dood van Herodus oor hierdie ontwikkeing bekend.
Tweedens, na die oproer van die Joode in Jerusalem en die Tweede Tempel se verwoesting deur die Romeine in 70 n.C., was Masada onderworpe aan Romeinse beleëring omrede ‘n groep Joode, bekend as yweraars, die Romeinse garnisoene oorweldig het en op Masada gaan bly het.
Onder die leierskap van Eleazar Ben Yair het 960 yweraars Masada bestorm en beheer geneem van die berg. Daar was genoegsame kos en water gestoor om hulle gedurende die lang droogte te dra. Na ongeveer drie jaar het die Romeine ‘n muur gebou om die berg en sodoende enige kans van ontsnapping verhoed. Hulle het toe ‘n grondhelling, wat met houtbalke gestut was tot die bokant van die berg gebou. Met die gebruik van ‘n stormram en vuur het hulle deur die mure van Masada gebreek net om te vind dat die Joode eerder selfmoord gepleeg het as om Romeinse slawe te word.