{"localization":"The siege of Masada is unique in history. Indeed, this fortress had immense natural cisterns of water, and food reserves for years. The besiegers, on the other hand, were in the desert, under a blazing sun, and with great difficulty in securing supplies. For once, it was the besiegers who suffered from the lack of food, not the besieged. \n Under these conditions, the Xth Legion which surrounded Masada had to end the siege before the summer. After having built camps, an enclosure and watchtowers (the good old method of Alésia), the legionaries began to cart tree trunks and rocks to build a gigantic ramp which was to allow access to the plateau. by a siege tower. This ramp measured more than 200 m long and 100 m high! \n The Roman assault was not going to delay any longer ... \n According to Flavius Josephus (the only source we have) Eléazar, the leader of the besieged, would have, by an inflamed speech (quoted by Aimelle), pushed his family to collective suicide. Historians have doubts ... Especially since Flavius Josephus was not present on the spot. No doubt the men did indeed kill women, children and the elderly to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Romans, but archaeological research seems to show that a fight took place. The story that the Romans only found corpses is therefore partly wrong. The only thing certain is that around 960 people were killed in this tragic siege.","ok":true}