---
title: The Masada Ramp
author: Dana Murray
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3682/the-masada-ramp/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# The Masada Ramp

_Authored by [Dana Murray](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/murrayd7/)_

## Image File

[![The Masada Ramp](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/3682.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/3682.jpg)

## Image Caption

The [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) assault ramp is located on the western slope of the [Masada](https://www.worldhistory.org/Masada/) cliff. It was constructed on a natural spur that abuts the mountain and is composed of stone and earth reinforced with timber bracings. According to [Josephus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Flavius_Josephus/), an ironclad siege tower containing a battering ram was hoisted up the ramp and placed into position to strike against the rebels’ casemate [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/). This account is supported by the archaeological evidence as it is directly above the modern summit of the ramp that the location of the breached defence wall is found. As the last outpost of resistance following the fall of [Jerusalem](https://www.worldhistory.org/jerusalem/) in 70 C.E., the Jewish [Zealots](https://www.worldhistory.org/Zealots/) that occupied Masada held the [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/)-fortress from 66 C.E. until the Roman siege which began in 72-73 C.E. The siege was led by Roman general Flavius Silva of the [Legio X Fretensis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio_X_Fretensis/) (a veteran military unit) and was brought to an end in 73-74 C.E. when the Zealots chose to commit mass suicide rather than be taken prisoner.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [The Last Days and Hours at Masada](http://members.bib-arch.org/publication.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=17&Issue=6&ArticleID=13 "The Last Days and Hours at Masada"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.
- [The Masada Seige](http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/the-masada-siege/ "The Masada Seige"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.

## About the Author

PhD student with interest in the art, architecture, and religion of ancient Greece and the Near East.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Murray, D. (2015, March 04). The Masada Ramp. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3682/the-masada-ramp/>
### Chicago
Murray, Dana. "The Masada Ramp." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 04, 2015. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3682/the-masada-ramp/>.
### MLA
Murray, Dana. "The Masada Ramp." *World History Encyclopedia*, 04 Mar 2015, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3682/the-masada-ramp/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Dana Murray](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/murrayd7/ "User Page: Dana Murray"), published on 04 March 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.