I’m not clear on all the history behind it, but our next stop was the fortress of Masada. Originally built by Herod, it was billed as the “first five star hotel” in the middle of the desert. It was also a King’s stronghold with very steep rock faces on all sides. And then the Romans came. All of their conventional methods of attack failed, so over the course of months, maybe years, they built a ramp up the side of the mountain so they could breach the walls with a battering ram. The Jew, knowing that defeat was near agreed that it was better to die than to have their women and children raped and they themselves be turned into slaves. And so the killing began. First the women and children and then the men, the final ten of whom drew lots to decide who would be the last to die, and die by his own sword.
 |
| Ramp up the side of the mountain |
 |
| Waiting for the cable car |
An amazing story that took place in an equally amazing
location with its many structures built out of the rock taken from the top of
the mountain. Masada had its own self-sustaining
water supply and hot baths: not exactly the kind of amenities you’d expect in
the desert.
 |
| Hot baths: flames were under the sub-floor |
We reached the summit by cable car as there wasn’t enough
time to take the “snake path”. I doubt
that many in our group would have been able to do it anyway, but I regret not
skipping the tour and climbing Masada with dad.
When dad and I did break from the group it was so quiet and peaceful,
natural medicine for the mind. The views
of the badlands of the valleys and the Dead Sea were a feast for the eyes as
well.
 |
| Badlands at the foot of Masada |
No comments:
Post a Comment