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Masada falls, ending the Jewish revolt

c. 73–74 CE, Masada. An event.

Where and when

c. 73–74 CEMasada

about 1,953 years ago

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, Masada

Rome builds a ramp to the desert fortress of Masada. Josephus says the defenders killed one another rather than be taken, and counts the dead.

Those others were nine hundred and sixty in number, the women and children being withal included in that computation.

Josephus 7.389Translated by William Whiston (1737)Read the full passage (Josephus 7.389, opens scaife.perseus.org)

Background: Siege of Masada, Wikipedia (opens en.wikipedia.org)

Why it matters

Retold in modern times as the Masada myth, the siege became a national symbol in the early years of the State of Israel.

Based on Wikipedia: Siege of Masada

In modern times, the story of the siege was revived as the Masada myth, a selectively constructed narrative based on Josephus's account.

The mythical narrative became a national symbol in the early years of Israel's nationhood.

Wikipedia, Siege of Masada (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-09-25. Text CC BY-SA 4.0. Our line is checked against these sentences only.

Related moments

In time order, with this one in its place. Each says why it is here.

  1. 68 CEabout 5 years earlier Nero kills himself as the Senate declares him an enemy Same years
  2. set in 68 CEabout 5 years earlier Nero's last hours, as Suetonius tells it Also about death
  3. 69 CEabout 4 years earlier Four emperors in one year Same years
  4. 70 CEabout 3 years earlier Titus takes Jerusalem and the Temple burns Also about war and empire
  5. c. 73–74 CEThis momentMasada falls, ending the Jewish revolt
  6. c. 71–75 CEDuring it Josephus on the Temple spoils in Rome Same years
  7. set in c. 73–74 CEBegins this year Eleazar's speech at Masada, per Josephus Rests on this eventAlso in MasadaAlso about war and empireAlso about death
  8. set in c. 73–74 CEBegins this year Eleazar's speech at Masada, in Josephus Rests on this eventAlso in Masada
  9. set in c. 73–74 CEBegins this year Josephus on the Romans entering Masada Rests on this eventAlso in Masada

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