Machaerus

About

The hilltop fortress of Machaerus was originally built around 90 BC by the Hasmonean king Alexander Jannaeus as part of a line of defensive citadels. This first fortress was destroyed in 57 BC, and rebuilt in 30 BC by Herod the Great. It was Herod’s son, Herod Antipas who cemented the fortress in history, imprisoning and beheading John the Baptist here in 32 AD. During the First Jewish Revolt in 66 AD, Jewish rebels took control of the fortress, but surrendered to advancing Roman forces. The Romans allowed the rebels to leave with their lives, but razed the fortress to its foundations. Today, it’s still possible to see sections of the royal palace, including fragments of mosaics, and the foundations of the fortified walls and other buildings. Piercing the sky are five full Doric and Ionic columns, which were re-erected where they originally stood using original materials, techniques, and styles whenever possible.