Section 10 Summary and Analysis

This final section describes the final days after the siege of Jerusalem and conditions of the Jewish nation after that devastating war. Chapter 23 Cleaning-up Operations notes that despite Rome's renewed strength and reputation that precipitated and brought about Jerusalem's fall, Judaea was still not fully under control. Lucilius Bassus was a Roman of senatorial rank who was sent by Vespasian as the new legate to the area. He was also a commander and first secured the fortress at Herodium south of Jerusalem before he marched against Macherus on the other side of the Dead Sea. Macherus was surrounded by ravines, trenches and walls and was virtually impregnable. Macherus was fortified from Herod's time because it was strategically located by being near and having a view of Arabia. Bassus worried that the city's strong defenses may encourage revolt and wanted to control...