Masada

A Jewish legend of perserverence through adversity and oppression. The historical facts of this account are disputed.

Masada

 

Towering, awe inspiring

Nestled deep at the heart

Of the South District of Israel

1,300 foot cliffs surround

The ancient fortress

Of Herod the Great

Overlooking the Judean Desert

A desolate wasteland

Imposing, denigrating

Nearly impenetrable

The last bastion of hope

For the Jewish rebels

In the year 73 A.D.

 

The men of the Sicarii

With women and children in tow

Have been expelled from their homes

To seek out the fortified refuge

Found upon the mesa of Masada

This is their desperate attempt

To resist the brutality and tyranny

Of the Roman imperial legions

The Great Revolt

Faces its final hours

After seven long years

Of bloodshed and tears

Jerusalem has fallen

And hopes are slim

For the 936 Jews

Facing an army of 10,000

 

Suddenly, the order arrives

From Elazar ben Ya'ir

Not a single Jew

Shall be taken alive

To be tortured

And enslaved or executed

At the merciless hands

Of the Roman Army

Suicide is the order of the day

Lots are drawn

And the loser is charged

With gruesome, agonizing task

Of the final assassinations

Within the remnants of the enclave

And taking his own life as well

When the Romans arrive

Not a man is left alive

To endure their bloodthirsty wrath

 

Never surrender!

 

Historical Context:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masada

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Jewish-Roman_War

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Jerusalem_%2870%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Flavius_Silva

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicarii

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

A fabulous tale. The free are the brave, dead or alive. Great write you have here. Good historical back up as well.