“It’s over, Anakin. I have the high ground”. As much as Star Wars fans criticized the silly way that the iconic lightsaber duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan ended “just by having the high ground,” the concept of holding the high ground was a crucial strategy in ancient warfare. This strategic advantage was prioritized for its numerous benefits, as seen in the impregnability of Masada.
An ancient Hebrew fortification that literally means “fortress”, Masada was the final stand of the Jewish zealots in the Jewish-Roman War. Encircled by cliffs on all sides, Masada was straightforward unconquerable. Aqueducts connected water to the inner reservoirs which held a collective 10 million gallons, and the flat plateau on top of Masada enabled the Jews to farm and supply food for decades. This self-sufficiency rendered Masada invincible, and it had never fallen. Rome had to conquer Masada to complete their campaign and bring an end to the war. In 72 CE, Rome surrounded and began the siege of Masada under the leadership of Flavius Silva.
Seizing the high ground conferred numerous tactical benefits. The elevated terrain provided a comprehensive overview of enemy positions. Masada was likely a strategic vantage point that commanded a panoramic view of the entire Roman encampments. Were any Roman soldiers to dare to climb and strike the top of Masada, the zealots would’ve spotted them and shot arrows down.
When dealing with elevated fortifications like Masada, a common offensive strategy is to isolate the fort, cut off its resources, and wait for surrender. However, Masada’s substantial supply of food and water, along with farming areas and reservoirs that collect raindrops made it nearly impossible for Romans to employ the “isolate and wait” strategy.
Attempting to climb the cliff would’ve been suicidal. The only way to reach the top of Masada was to construct a mountain of sand, matching the fortress’s height. Thus, the Romans initiated the construction of a siege ramp on the western side of the stronghold. It was a monumental undertaking–to build a ramp almost as tall as the Empire State Building. The construction process took nearly six months. Once it was completed, Roman forces advanced using siege towers and soldiers along the ramp and reached the summit. To their surprise, the Romans encountered the aftermath of a mass suicide, with thousands of dead Jewish defenders who had chosen to take their own lives rather than be enslaved by the Romans.
In his speech before the final moment, the Jewish leader Eleazar declared, “Since we long ago resolved never to be servants to the Romans, nor to any other than to God Himself…it is still in our power to die bravely, and in a state of freedom.” Masada became an enduring symbol of Jewish heroism and unwavering resistance against oppression. Although fallen, the dedication of Jewish defenders, coupled with Masada’s strategic defenses presented one of the toughest challenges Rome ever faced.