On this day in the year 73, the Jewish mountaintop fortress of Masada falls to the Roman army after a lengthy siege. More than 900 of the defenders take their own lives rather than surrender to the emperor’s legion.

On this day in the year 73, the Jewish mountaintop fortress of Masada falls to the Roman army after a lengthy siege. More than 900 of the defenders take their own lives rather than surrender to the emperor’s legion.