Masada was first built as a fortress by a Hasmonean priest Jonathan, either the brother of Judah the Maccabee (152–143 BCE) or Alexander Janneus (103–76 BCE).
A view of the Judean Desert overlooking the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found(photo credit: HERMAN CHANANIA/GPO)ByLAWRENCE SCHIFFMAN
