Snake path to Masada

Snake path to Masada
Originally uploaded by bastchild.

I took a bus to visit the desert fortress of Masada. It is about 400 metres above the Dead Sea on a high plateau. It was one of the last outposts of Jews during their revolt against the Romans, and marks the end of the Second Temple period. Apparently, around 960 rebels hid at this old fortress while 8000 Roman soldiers camped far below. The Romans built a ramp and brought in a siege tower to knock down the walls, and when they broke through, they discovered all the inhabitants (except for seven) had commit suicide rather than be taken prisoners.
It took about 30 minutes to climb up to the fortress on this snake path.