Desert fortresses of Judaea

The desert fortresses of Judaea formed a strategic line of defense during the Second Temple period, comprising seven key strongholds: Alexandrium, Dok, Kiprus, Hyrcania, Herodium, Machaerus, and Masada.

These fortifications, sometimes collectively known as the Hasmonean Desert fortresses, were primarily situated in the Judaean Desert, except for Alexandrium, positioned in the northern part of the Jericho valley, and Machaerus, located in Perea. While commonly known as the Judaean Desert fortresses, this term is only partially accurate. While a few of these forts existed before the Second Temple period, their prominence and defensive capabilities reached their zenith during this era.

Fortresses

Alexandrium

Alexandrium, also known as Sartaba in Mishnaic and Talmudic texts and Qarn Sartaba in Arabic, is a Hasmonean fortress built by Alexander Jannaeus. It is located in Samaritis, on a strategic hilltop between Scythopolis and Jerusalem overlooking the Jordan valley. Initially built to accommodate a military garrison, King Herod later renovated it into a palatial desert fortress, using it for imprisoning political adversaries, including members of his own family. It fell during the Great revolt and demolished later by Vespasian or Titus.

Dok

The Hasmonean fortress is identified on Mount of Temptation, as J.p. Van Kastern suggested in 1897 and as the original name is preserved in the name of the spring nearby – Ein Dok. Later in the Byzantine period there was a monastery – Mons Quaran Tana, later to be renamed in Arabic – Jabel Quarantal.

Herodium

The Herodium fortress built by King Herod, is located 12 km south of Jerusalem. It is one of Herod's most prominent architectural construction projects. The round symmetric mound included palaces, towers, bathhouse, synagogue and water system are all evidence to his advanced and sophisticated planning.

Hyrcania

Hyrcania also known as Khirbet el-Mird in Arabic and Horcania in Hebrew is a Hasmonean fortress located at the northeast part of the Judean desert. It was built either by John Hyrcanus or his son Alexander Jannaeus 2nd or 1st century BCE. It initially served as a strategic military stronghold, destroyed and later expanded by King Herod during the Second Temple period. It is known as the place where Herod executed his son Antipater. Later there was a monastery at the site by the name of Kastellion, deriving its name from the ruined fortress.

Kypros

Kypros is a Hasmonean fortress located three km southwest of Jericho. Its ruins are believed to be at Tel el-Akba, where ruined Herodian fortifications, buildings, bath and a large water system were found. It's assumed the fortress was built on the ruins of either Taurus or Threx. King Herod restored the fort and named it Kypros after his mother.

Machaerus

Machaerus is a Hasmonean fortress built by Alexander Jannaeus around 90 BCE in Perea. It was strategically positioned to guard against eastern invasions. It was destroyed by Pompey's general Gabinius in 57 BC, later to be rebuilt and expanded by Herod the Great in 30 BC. Based on the historical records of Flavius Josephus, John the Baptist had been imprisoned and later executed there. It was finally destroyed by the Romans in 72 CE.

Masada

The most famous and most excavated of all desert fortresses in Israel is located at the eastern edge of the Judaean desert. The Hasmoneans king Alexander Jannaeus fortified the site in the first century BCE and King Herod expanded it adding many building, fortifications and water storage facilities. The Romans sieged the fortress during the First Jewish-Roman War and captured it only after the rebels committed suicide.

Analysis

It is hard to say when exactly this fortification line came into use, as not all fortresses were built at the same time. But it is evident that during the Hasmonean period a fortification line was created and it reached its peak, during the time of King Herod who rebuilt, renovated, expanded and maintained the fortresses. Even though each fortress has its own features and was probably meant to stand on its own, there are many similarities within the fortresses. All are in the desert or within desert boundaries, each fortress is within eye contact with another desert fortress. Constructionwise, they are similar features, especially regarding the huge water systems and cistins, which were found in each fortress.

All fortresses played an important role during the Hasmonean period. Some marked the kingdoms' boundaries, while others overlooked main roads, some were administration centers, some were burial sites but all had palaces and fulfilled their main purpose, to provide a stronghold if war in open field was lost. Evidence is the role these fortresses played in the first Jewish-Roman war.