Rising high above the Dead Sea, Masada is one of the most dramatic landscapes of the ancient world. But long before it became a symbol of defiance and martyrdom, it was an Hasmonean fortress, reshaped in spectacular fashion by Herod the Great into a palace-fortress that clung improbably to the edge of empire.

This week, Jodi Magness joins the podcast to guide us through Masada’s layered past: its Hasmonean origins, Herod’s architectural ambition, and the rebels who later refashioned a royal complex into a last refuge during the revolt against Rome. We examine the archaeology of daily life, the Roman siege works below, the testimony of Flavius Josephus, and the enduring legacy of Yigael Yadin—asking how excavation, memory, and meaning have shaped the story of Masada for generations.

📚 Reading Recommendations:Masada: From Jewish Revolt to Modern Myth by Jodi Magness

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🎙️ Credits

Guest: Dr. Jodi Magness

Hosted and edited by Dr. Jordan Jones

Additional contributions by Mary Kathryn Lichty

The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone

Bible & Archaeology is a University of Iowa production. The views and opinions expressed on Bible & Archaeology belong solely to the individuals who share them. They do not represent the positions of the University of Iowa or the State of Iowa.