73 AD
Siege of Masada
Roman forces captured Masada after besieging Jewish rebels during the war’s conclusion.
- Time period
- 73 AD
- Region
- Judea
- Theme
- Military
- Civilization
- Roman Empire
Traditionally dated to AD 72–73, the siege of Masada occurred near the end of the First Jewish–Roman War in present-day Israel. Roman forces commanded by Lucius Flavius Silva surrounded the fortress held by Sicarii rebels and constructed a ramp to breach its defenses. Josephus reported that the defenders and their families died in a collective suicide before Roman troops entered. The historical accuracy of this account remains debated, as summarized in Wikipedia.