The legend of Masada is the Alamo of the ancient world, the story of more than 900 Jewish rebels who held a nearly impregnable fort against the might of the Roman Empire. Embedded in the founding narrative of the state of Israel, this epic story has offered ample fodder to writers, filmmakers and storytellers worldwide – and it’s now the backdrop for the upcoming CBS limited event series “The Dovekeepers” from executive producers Roma Downey and Emmy® Award-winner Mark Burnett. But how much of the Masada legend is grounded in historical fact? The new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, “Siege Of Masada,” premiering Friday, March 27th at 9 p.m. ET/PT, examines the evidence behind this powerful legend.
First told at the dawn of Christianity and at a moment of crisis for the Jews, the story of Masada has long fired the imagination of believers and non-believers alike. Yet, for most of recorded history, it’s been little more than a legend. Then, in the middle of the 20th century, everything changed. A mounting body of archeological evidence emerged – a ruined mountain fortress, a siege ramp threatening its walls, a series of ancient Roman camps. Taken together, they pinpoint Masada on the map. This is the indisputable site of an epic fight between the Roman army and a besieged community of Jews. But as the siege wall rose and their enemies prepared a final attack, did they really choose mass suicide and martyrdom over surrender?
“Siege Of Masada” deploys dramatic re-enactments from “The Dovekeepers” to capture the intensity of the story while experts on the ancient world examine tantalizing clues to what really happened at the site, including human hair and ancient clay shards that record hints of everyday life in the mountaintop fortress.
“We should care about Masada because it’s one of the most important battles in western civilization,” says Candida Moss, Professor of Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity at the University of Notre Dame. “It might seem like this is just a battle about 900 people versus the Romans, but it’s actually a story that becomes particularly important for Jewish courage and identity.”
James Tabor, Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte adds, “This becomes the Alamo. You know, ‘Remember the Masada. Masada shall never fall again.’ But it also becomes a very human tale about conflict and freedom and determination and resolution and possibility and disappointment.”
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman, CBS’s upcoming limited series “The Dovekeepers” is set in ancient Israel and features a group of extraordinary women whose lives intersect in a fight for survival at the siege of Masada. After the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 C.E., 960 Jews sought refuge at Masada, a mountain fortress in the Judean desert. Though outnumbered 10-to-1, they held out for months against a vast Roman army. “The Dovekeepers” recounts the events from the perspective of women who arrive at Masada with unique backstories, but a common bond for survival. It premieres Tuesday, March 31st and Wednesday, April 1st at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
“Siege Of Masada” is produced by JWM Productions for Smithsonian Channel. It is produced, written and directed by Jason Williams. Bill Morgan is executive producer for JWM Productions. David Royle and Charles Poe serve as executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.
