Masada, the sprawling hilltop fortress palace built by Herod the Great as a winter retreat, witnessed the tragic end of one of the saddest chapters in the history of ancient Israel. It was here on this inaccessible plateau perched high above the southern tip of the Dead Sea that Jewish zealots of the Great Revolt made their final stand against the Roman Empire in 73 AD. After a ferocious and literally suicidal defense, the Jews fell before the onslaught of the Romans. Afterwards the site was apparently abandoned, even by the victors. As a result, not only has much of the great fortress survived to the present day, but also evidence of the battle itself, including the old Roman siege-ramp. Masada is the great modern-day symbol of Israeli independence, as well as an informative archaeological site. Masada is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
