We drove from Jerusalem to Masada. A location you may have heard of, but probably not sure in what context. Briefly. King Herod, in 30BC, built a luxurious palace, (and refuge), on this impregnable plateau overlooking the Dead Sea, ala Saddam Hussien excess.
However, in 66AD just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, a group of Jewish Sicarii, an extreme splinter group of the Jewish Zealots, took the palace by force and continued to hold out there until 72AD. Over 30,000 Romans surrounded the plateau in order to take it from the 960 rebels, (including their families).
Knowing they needed to breach the wall surrounding the Sacarii, the Romans spent 4 months building a ramp to pull a battering ramp up to the wall to enter the city. The ramp still exists today, it is made of thousands of tons of stone and sand.
Once the ram was in place, the wall did collapse, but to the surprise of the invading Romans, almost all inside the walls were dead. Prior to the breach, 952 rebels drew lots to kill each other, since suicide is forbidden by Jewish Law. 2 women and 5 children, hidden from the Sicarii, survived and tell this story. The Romans were so impressed by the 'bravery' of their foes, they turned, walked away and abandoned this area completely.
Although current research suggests some of this story is more legend than fact, it is a great story worth retelling.
On to the Dead Sea. A few statistics, it is the lowest point on the Planet Earth.430 feet below sea level. It is the seventh saltiest point on earth. (number one is in Antarctica (!). Presently it is 33% salt, (the ocean is 3.5%). It is loosing 4 feet a year in evaporation because of the 5-year draught Isreal is going through, and this time of year, it is one of the most miserable places on earth.
Very hot, both air and water, although you float like a styrofoam cork, the saltiness of the water is both unbelievably nauseating and toxic. Maybe spring or fall is better, we spent a half hour rubbing mud on ourselves, rinsed and headed back to the air-conditioned bus!
Finally, after a long day, it is back to Jerusalem and we are told we will experience a real treat. It is going to the Western Wall at the beginning of Shabbat when Shabbat is a special holiday. We weren't sure of what that special holiday was, but there were hundreds of Orthodox Jews at the wall, praying, singing, dancing, having a great time.
However, in 66AD just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, a group of Jewish Sicarii, an extreme splinter group of the Jewish Zealots, took the palace by force and continued to hold out there until 72AD. Over 30,000 Romans surrounded the plateau in order to take it from the 960 rebels, (including their families).
Knowing they needed to breach the wall surrounding the Sacarii, the Romans spent 4 months building a ramp to pull a battering ramp up to the wall to enter the city. The ramp still exists today, it is made of thousands of tons of stone and sand.
 |
| You can see what the palace looked like in Herod's day. Three levels. The middle level, in ruins is above this photo |
Once the ram was in place, the wall did collapse, but to the surprise of the invading Romans, almost all inside the walls were dead. Prior to the breach, 952 rebels drew lots to kill each other, since suicide is forbidden by Jewish Law. 2 women and 5 children, hidden from the Sicarii, survived and tell this story. The Romans were so impressed by the 'bravery' of their foes, they turned, walked away and abandoned this area completely.
 |
| The sweeping ridge to the wall is what remains of the Roman siege ramp. |
On to the Dead Sea. A few statistics, it is the lowest point on the Planet Earth.430 feet below sea level. It is the seventh saltiest point on earth. (number one is in Antarctica (!). Presently it is 33% salt, (the ocean is 3.5%). It is loosing 4 feet a year in evaporation because of the 5-year draught Isreal is going through, and this time of year, it is one of the most miserable places on earth.
Very hot, both air and water, although you float like a styrofoam cork, the saltiness of the water is both unbelievably nauseating and toxic. Maybe spring or fall is better, we spent a half hour rubbing mud on ourselves, rinsed and headed back to the air-conditioned bus!
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| No floaties for Gloria. Hard to right yourself, you float too 'high'. |
And, because this is Israel, any large group of people will be surrounded by
armed IDF, I have never seen so many AK-47's shouldered by both men
and women. (They don't like their pictures taken)
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