WP Weekly Photo Challenge: Relic

This week, Donncha O Caoimh writes: “Share a photo of what “relic” means to you — it could be your still-running 1979 Honda Accord Hatchback, an historic building in your town, or an old, rusted farm implement poking up through the long grass in a field.” So, I’ve decided to go with an ancient historic site, Masada.  Check out the other entries here.

Masada is located in the Judean desert, near the Dead Sea. I was surprised at the size of this ancient site, quite large, like a fair-sized town.

Remains of storerooms for food to survive in the desert

 

Model of Herod’s Winter Fortress/Palace

Herod was a cruel, oppressive ruler, even though he showed some talent as an architect-builder.

Encampment of Roman soldiers

In 72 AD, the Roman governor Lucius Flavius Silva led about 15,000 of  his best-trained Roman soldiers to capture Masada from 960 Jewish zealots. The siege took them about 4-8 months to reach the top of Masada. When they arrived most of the Jews had committed suicide rather than submit to Roman slavery.