"Finalist for the National Jewish Book Award in History" Jodi Magness is the Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her books include The Archaeology of the Holy Land from the Destruction of Solomon's Temple to the Muslim Conquest and Stone and Dung, Oil and Spit: Jewish Daily Life in the Time of Jesus. In 1995, Magness codirected excavations in the Roman siege works at Masada, and since 2011 she has directed excavations at Huqoq in Galilee.
A new account of the famous site and story of the last stand of a group of Jewish rebels who held out against the Roman Empire
Two thousand years ago, 967 Jewish men, women, and children-the last holdouts of the revolt against Rome following the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple-reportedly took their own lives rather than surrender to the Roman army. This dramatic event, which took place on top of Masada, a barren and windswept mountain overlooking the Dead Sea, spawned a powerful story of Jewish resistance that came to symbolize the embattled modern State of Israel. The first extensive archaeological excavations of Masada began in the 1960s, and today the site draws visitors from around the world. And yet, because the mass suicide was recorded by only one ancient author-the Jewish historian Josephus-some scholars question if the event ever took place.
Jodi Magness, an archaeologist who has excavated at Masada, explains what happened there, how we know it, and how recent developments might change understandings of the story. Incorporating the latest findings, she integrates literary and historical sources to show what life was like for Jews under Roman rule during an era that witnessed the reign of Herod and Jesus's ministry and death.
Featuring numerous illustrations, this is an engaging exploration of an ancient story that continues to grip the imagination today. "Persuasive."---James Romm, New York Review of Books "Magness vividly describes the archaeological evidence for life on the mountaintop [of Masada]."---Josephine Quinn, London Review of Books "[Jodi Magness is] fascinating on the conflation of archaeology and nationalism in modern Israel's use of the 'Masada myth'."---Justin Marozzi, The Spectator "Filled with fascinating details; [Masada] is informative and judicious."---Glenn C. Altschuler, Jerusalem Post "Fascinating. . . . The overall high quality of [Masada] and its author's personal acquaintance with both the archaeological and literary source material cannot be questioned."---Daniel Sugarman, Jewish Chronicle "All those interested in [Masada], or planning a visit, will find their understanding enriched by [Magness's] clear and readable guide."---Matti Friedman, Mosaic "The appealing narrative launches itself in time-honoured fashion in medias res, with an account of the Roman siege that took place three years after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70."---Claire Gruzelier, Classics for All Reviews "Archaeologist Jodi Magness succeeds in producing a rewarding and stimulating book that is accessible and up to date."---Michaël Girardin, Bryn Mawr Classical Review "Jodi Magness's new book, Masada: From Jewish Revolt to Modern Myth, is an important contribution to our understanding of Masada and its historical context. Not only is it well-written, including personal experiences, her own research, and her association with the famous Israeli archeologists who supervised excavations at Masada; it also is a thorough presentation of what was discovered there, the historical period, and a comprehensive review of the literature and various theories about what happened there, and why. It is, therefore, an essential read."---Moshe Dann, The Jerusalem Report "Magness's conversational style will inform and entertain both the general and specialist reader."---Lindsay Powell, Ancient History "Jodi Magness takes her r
