King Herod rules from 37BC to 4AD. He was well aware of the strategic advantages of Masada. He chose this site a refuge against his enemies and as a luxurious winter palace. During his reign, well-stocked storerooms and cisterns were built. After the death of Herod in 4AD, Judea was annexed to the Roman empire. The Great Revolt of the Jews against the Romans in 66AD saw a rebel group of close to 1000 Jewish men and women, fleeing to Masada after the destruction of Jerusalem. In 73AD, the Tenth Roman Legion laid siege to the rebel stronghold. 8000 troops built 8 camps around the base. They built a wall of earth and wooden supports up against the side of the mountain. Using battering rams and catapults, they bombarded the stronghold until they finally made it over the wall. Seeing that the Romans were about to defeat them, rather than giving up, their leader Eleazar Ben Yair convinced the 960 people to take their own lives than to be captured, tortured and killed.

Today, all Israeli military come to Masada to take an oath and say "Never again!" will they be defeated.