How Did the Jews Survive For So Long On Masada?Date: 12/1/14 Issue 1 Masada is an isolated Plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. It was built by Herod to make a winter palace for his family. One really good thing about Masada is that it is in the middle of a Roman trade route.
The Zealots lived in Jerusalem. When the Romans attacked them in 70 C.E., they moved to Masada. Since Herod had died by this time, there was plenty of room for the Zealots to stay. They ended up staying in the synagogue part.
This is a picture of Masada. This Fusce mollis drawing is called tempus felis. ‘Masada Close to Destruction.’ It shows that there was a boundary around Masada. Also on the left half there is a house, which is Herod’s palace. On the bottom corner on the left it looks like that is Herod’s house and on top of that is the main house and where the Zealots lived. As you can see, on the right side, there is part of a ramp. This ramp was built by the Romans to get to the top of Masada. It took them 3 years to build the ramp.