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All that we
know about the events that occurred on Masada in the year 74 CE, the fierce
fighting and siege and the dramatic suicide, is derived from two very
complex sources: the account recorded by the Jewish historian Josephus Flavius
and archaeological evidence. Unfortunately for the historical record, Josephus
was a participant of the Jewish war against the Romans and not an impartial
observer and archaeological evidence can provide material evidence and not
testimony to an event that happened nearly 2000 years ago.
The ERETZ Guide to Masada explores the historical background, the archaeological evidence and its
interpretation. Was the siege of Masada just a Roman mop up operation or was
it much more, who where the Jewish defenders of this remote desert stronghold -
extremists - as Josephus would like us to believe or Jewish freedom fighters
who against all odds managed to establish an independent Jewish kingdom which the
Romans, who had already declared victory over the Jews had to stamp out at all
costs .
First published in 1997 and updated in 2005, this classic ERETZ Guide is the official guide to the site, throwing light on
its history, dramatic excavations and discoveries It is a valuable guide for
visitors to the site, an excellent souvenir and the best available background
source. The PDF file is an exact copy of the
printed version.
To purchase the ERETZ GUIDE to Masada PDF file,
click button below
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