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Antiochus of Seleucia

Interviews RE Masada

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In this topic I would like to share some of the interviews I have had with various professors and other experts in their fields pertaining to the Siege of Masada. I've compared the different answers to my questions, and can see the wide range of views of opinions from the people from around the world. Please enjoy. Unfortunately I will not be able to continue with my project due to the various reasons I have given in my blog, so this is my way of making good use of the info I've obtained along with the want to better this site. This was a wonderful experience. Not only am I becoming better at conducting these interviews (especially how to ask better questions!), one of the professors even sent me a chapter of her book coming out later this year!

 

Interview #1 - Professor Jonathan P. Roth

 

1.) Can you describe your expertise with Middle-eastern Archeology or the study

of ancient Roman east?

 

I have an undergraduate degree in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from UC Berkeley,

and a PhD in Ancient History from Columbia University.

 

2.) Who do you think that the defenders of Masada were: Religious zealots or

ruthless terrorists? Why?

 

This is a false dichotomy. They were both religious zealots, as evidenced by

their puritanical and apolocolyptic views, and their ruthlessness and terrorism

is shown both by their assassinations and their massacre of the civilian

population of En Gedi during the Jewish War.

 

3.) Do you feel that the movie

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Excellent work AoS. Should be published somewhere.

Israeli soldiers no longer swear their oath at Masada.

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