9. Masada (73AD)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ifR6-n7TtE The 'Great Revolt' was the first of three Jewish uprisings against Roman rule in Judaea. It began in 66AD, whenreligious tensions between the Greeks and Jews and protests against taxations led to attacks on Roman citizens. Nero sent Vespasian and 60,000 to quash the rebellion. His son, Titus, surrounded Jerusalem and began starving the city. The Romans then breached the walls with a battering ram and overwhelmed the defenders. This led to the burning of Solomon's Temple. Following Nero's suicide he had been declared a public enemy by the senate Rome had what's referred to as the 'Year of the Four Emperors'. Galba, Otho and Vitellius all reigned for a brief period two murders and a suicide before Vespasian usurped the throne with his army's support. He died of natural causes, so Titus went back to Rome and took the role of Emperor. Some of those who had escaped Jerusalem before the slaughter settled in the mountaintop fortress of Masada. Lucius Silva, commander of the troops assigned to siege the fortress, had a wall built around the mountain. It became obvious, though, that with plentiful food and water, an attempted blockade would have little effect. Silva ordered the construction of a ramp, made of earth, 600 metres long and 61 high, leading up to the walls. The amazing effort allowed for a siege tower to be pushed up against the walls and a battering ram to breach them. Upon entering, the Romans discovered the Jews had committed mass suicide, choosing death over execution or slavery.