Masada

From Jewish Revolt to Modern Myth

By: Jodi Magness

Narrated by: Laurence Bouvard

A new account of the famous site and story of the last stand of a group of Jewish rebels who held out against the Roman Empire

Two thousand years ago, 967 Jewish men, women, and children - the last holdouts of the revolt against Rome following the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple - reportedly took their own lives rather than surrender to the Roman army. This dramatic event, which took place on top of Masada, a barren and windswept mountain overlooking the Dead Sea, spawned a powerful story of Jewish resistance that came to symbolize the embattled modern State of Israel. The first extensive archaeological excavations of Masada began in the 1960s, and today the site draws visitors from around the world. And yet, because the mass suicide was recorded by only one ancient author - the Jewish historian Josephus - some scholars question if the event ever took place.

Jodi Magness, an archaeologist who has excavated at Masada, explains what happened there, how we know it, and how recent developments might change understandings of the story. Incorporating the latest findings, she integrates literary and historical sources to show what life was like for Jews under Roman rule during an era that witnessed the reign of Herod and Jesus’s ministry and death.

©2019 Jodi Magness (P)2019 Princeton University Press

Excellent book, but

I really enjoyed this book but I think if you were not familiar with the towns and areas she describes it would very confusing. I am familiar with Jodi Magness’ Great Courses lectures and have travelled in the area she describes so I was able to visualize her descriptions. (This book would have been greatly helped with a pdf of maps). I really had a hard time with the narrator though because I am familiar with Magness’ voice and this woman sounded like she should be reading romance novels.

Fascinating Story, Not So Fascinating Storytelling

This is one of those stories I have been wanting to learn more about. Turns out it's one of those that may be easier to talk about than to learn the truth about. There is a lot of information here, but I kinda wish less time had been spent on the narration of Josephus, especially since his accuracy is questioned by much of the history society. I get he's the only source from the time period,but I think she could have given a lot more information from what she observed during her time(s) at Masada. I was also surprised that she believed in the Jews only having one temple when I have heard of archeological findings that prove there were many more temples doting the land of the Israelites talked about since about 2015.

Academic

If you're looking for a good story or a "feel good" religious text, as some other reviewers were looking for, this book is not for you. If you're looking for a well and throughly research academic text this is definitely your book. Again, this is NOT a story book. It's a professional academic text.

A little information In a lot of words

Lot’s of generalizing and repeating herself. I also took issue with the lack of representation of the “pagans and gentiles”. who were the other than “Them”. Lot’s of great information about Jewish history and ancient politics in here though. I felt like a lot of it didn’t have to do with Masada however. This book could’ve been half as long and had the same amount of information.