The Jewish War: Book 7

[cahn]

The last book!

Last week: Astrological phenomena and the star of Bethlehem. Messianic (?) prophecy about Vespasian. Brutality of the siege, and discussion of the law of war protecting prisoners from the enemy army (or lack thereof). Imperator.

This week: Book 7. Wrapping up of the war. The Masada fortress and group suicide (which I think is interesting to think about given the discussion we had a few books back). The temple of Onias. (Dedicated commment threads for both of these below, for anyone who wants to join in!)

Yay book club, thank you everyone!

Comments

Re: Recap

[cenozoicsynapsid]

Not only the siege camps remain visible, but also the "snake path" and the Roman siege road to the top. It's an extremely arid area and there is no civilian reason for anyone to live there, so I think the site is relatively well preserved. Nowadays it's a major tourist site, and a kind of Zionist shrine, with the Zealots envisioned as proto-Zionists. I believe Israeli elite regiments used to (or still do?) finish their training by climbing Masada in the dark, and swearing in at dawn on the plateau.

Re: Recap

[cahn]

Oh huh that's really interesting! And I guess also dovetails well with Josephus' rendition of how the site and all the supplies from Herod's time were still all preserved.