The Roman Siege of Masada

The Romans finally breached the stronghold in 73 CE. Here too, the Jews killed their own families and themselves in order not to fall under Roman tyranny.

 Josephus (War of the Jews 7:8:6) documented Elazar's speech:

Since we long ago, my generous friends, resolved never to be servants to the Romans, nor to any other than to God Himself, who alone is the true and just Lord of mankind; the time is now come that obliges us to make that resolution true in practice...It is very plain that we shall be taken within a day's time... Let our wives die before they are abused; and our children before they have tasted of slavery. And after we have slain them, let us bestow that glorious benefit upon one another mutually and preserve ourselves in freedom as an excellent funeral monument for us."

The Sicarii at Masada cast lots to decide the order in which they and their families would commit suicide. In this picture is the ostracon, which was the lot cast by Masada’s commander, Elazar ben Yair.

With the capture of Masada, the Jewish Revolt finally came to an end.