Herod’s designs were far advanced for the times. He devised a water system that captured every drop of moisture, allowing the luxury of pools, baths and gardens. The Northern Palace is carved into the mountain side on three terraces overhanging a sheer drop to the desert floor, and astonishes modern engineers.

The actual battle occurred 70 years after Herod’s death. Masada was successfully infiltrated then seized by Jewish rebels provoking Rome to lay siege to the mountain. When the rebels finally succumbed they chose to kill themselves rather than be taken as slaves. Historians say that the final ten rebel soldiers drew lots to determine which of them would first kill the other nine, then set fire to the fortress, and then fall on his own sword. These ten lots were found and identified during excavations in the 1960's and are on display in the museum.