Tel Arad and Masada
Today was the monthly archaeological excursion as a school. This
visit took the Ratisbonne community South East, towards the Dead Sea
to Tel Arad and Masada.
Tel Arad was an ancient city thriving around 3000 BC. The city is now in ruins, however the remains of the outer wall are still visible suggesting a very large city. The religion practiced by the inhabitants is still unknown. However, their religion must have been very important as we can see from the remains of their temple.
Masada was the next site visited. Before climbing this mountain top palace/fortress, the coach took the community to see a panoramic view from the distance. The distance from the ground in nearly 400m - and every climbed up the steep steps to arrive at top. Once there one can see the remains of the structures King Herod had built. An ideal place of both luxury and safety. Any invaders coming could be seen
from many kilometres away.
Masada's most famous event was read to the group in one of Herod's palaces. Flavius Josephus records the tragic events that occurred at Masada in 73 AD. This was the last stand of the Jewish rebels against the inevitable victory of the Romans. Rather than be captured by the Roman soldiers (who had already built a ramp and battering ram to breach the fortress walls) all 960 inhabitants - soldiers, wives and children - took their own lives in a desperate act of bravery. It was a breath-taking story to hear re-told, made even greater by being in the location.
Tel Arad was an ancient city thriving around 3000 BC. The city is now in ruins, however the remains of the outer wall are still visible suggesting a very large city. The religion practiced by the inhabitants is still unknown. However, their religion must have been very important as we can see from the remains of their temple.
Masada was the next site visited. Before climbing this mountain top palace/fortress, the coach took the community to see a panoramic view from the distance. The distance from the ground in nearly 400m - and every climbed up the steep steps to arrive at top. Once there one can see the remains of the structures King Herod had built. An ideal place of both luxury and safety. Any invaders coming could be seen
from many kilometres away.
Masada's most famous event was read to the group in one of Herod's palaces. Flavius Josephus records the tragic events that occurred at Masada in 73 AD. This was the last stand of the Jewish rebels against the inevitable victory of the Romans. Rather than be captured by the Roman soldiers (who had already built a ramp and battering ram to breach the fortress walls) all 960 inhabitants - soldiers, wives and children - took their own lives in a desperate act of bravery. It was a breath-taking story to hear re-told, made even greater by being in the location.