A recent archaeological study on the Roman siege system at Masada, published in the Journal of Roman Archaeology, reveals new and important findings about this historic conflict of the 1st century CE. An international team of researchers, led by Hai Ashkenazi from the Israel Antiquities Authority and Goethe University Frankfurt, has used cutting-edge technology to deeply analyze the war landscape surrounding the ancient Jewish fortress.
The siege of Masada, which took place around 73 or 74 CE, marked the dramatic end of the First Jewish Revolt against the Roman Empire. Until now, while the fortress itself had been the subject of extensive excavations, the Roman siege system surrounding it had received comparatively little academic attention.
This new study aims to fill that gap, leveraging contemporary archaeological methods to shed light on the strategies and tactics employed by the Roman army in this decisive conflict.
The researchers employed a combination of techniques, including meticulous surface surveys, 3D photogrammetric modeling, and analysis using geographic information systems (GIS). This multidisciplinary approach allowed them to examine, with unprecedented detail, the circumvallation wall, the military camps, and other structures associated with the siege.
One of the most significant conclusions of the study is that the circumvallation wall, which completely surrounded the base of Masada, reached a height of between 2 and 2.5 meters. This imposing structure not only served as a physical barrier but also fulfilled psychological and tactical functions.
On the one hand, it represented a clear demonstration of Roman power and determination, exerting psychological pressure on the Jewish defenders. On the other hand, it provided a platform from which the Romans could repel possible counterattacks by the besieged.
The research team managed to precisely calculate the dimensions of the wall and its associated towers, resolving long-standing debates among experts. It was determined that the total length of the siege wall was approximately 4,300 meters, including the sections that incorporated the walls of the military camps. If the walls of the camps not directly integrated into the main wall are included, the total length of the Roman defensive structures reaches 6,300 meters.
A particularly innovative aspect of the study was the use of 3D photogrammetric modeling to analyze a 1,100-meter section of the wall on its eastern side, which is exceptionally well-preserved. This technique allowed the researchers not only to accurately document the structure but also to perform detailed calculations about its volume and the workload that would have been necessary for its construction.
These estimates about the construction effort have important implications for our understanding of the duration of the siege. Contrary to some historical interpretations that suggested a prolonged siege, the collected data suggests that the construction of the siege system, including the wall and camps, was carried out relatively quickly, in just two weeks.
This construction efficiency reflects the discipline and organization of the Roman army, which was capable of mobilizing and coordinating large amounts of labor in a hostile desert environment. According to the researchers, the siege would have lasted from four to nine weeks.
The study also sheds light on the multiple functions that the siege system served. In addition to its obvious defensive role, protecting the Roman troops from possible sorties by the besieged, the wall served to completely isolate the fortress, cutting off any possibility of supplies or reinforcements for the defenders. Furthermore, the imposing presence of the wall and camps acted as a powerful tool of psychological warfare, conveying a clear message to the besieged about the inevitability of their situation.
The researchers identified and analyzed in detail seven distinct sections of the wall, each with specific characteristics adapted to its location and function. For example, the eastern section, which includes 15 towers incorporated into the wall, was designed to offer optimal surveillance of the surrounding plain and repel possible escape or relief attempts from that direction.
The study provides valuable insights into Roman siege tactics. The exceptional preservation of the site, due to its remote location and arid climate, offers a unique opportunity to study a Roman conflict landscape that has remained practically intact since the 1st century CE.
The findings of Ashkenazi’s team challenge some previous interpretations and open new lines of research. For example, the debate over whether the famous siege ramp was completed or not, and exactly how the Romans ultimately managed to enter the fortress, remains a topic of academic discussion. This study provides new data that will undoubtedly fuel future research and debates on these controversial aspects.
The researchers conclude that based on our observation that large sections of the eastern wall have disappeared or are covered by colluvial sediments, we argue that substantial erosion has occurred on this side of Masada since the 1st century CE, further reinforcing the argument that the thesis of Goldfus et al. is inaccurate and that the siege of Masada ended with the breach of its western wall by Roman siege machines.
SOURCES
Ashkenazi H, Ze’evi-Berger O, Gross B, Stiebel GD. The Roman siege system of Masada: a 3D computerized analysis of a conflict landscape. Journal of Roman Archaeology. Published online 2024:1-26. doi:10.1017/S1047759424000084
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