Josephus states Masada was first fortified by the Hasmonaean king, Alexander Janneus (r. 103-76 BC), though no archaeological remains have been dated to this period apart from some coins. Herod the Great took over the site in 43 BC during the struggles which followed the death of his father, Antipater. Between 37 and 31 BC, Herod further fortified the site (the first so treated after he came to power) and built two palaces, complete with water cisterns and the capability of storing enormous amounts of supplies, which would become useful for the Sicarii during the siege. Josephus only mentions a single palace, but archaeological exploration revealed two - a northern and a western palace. The western palace was completed first, around 35 BC. It may have been largely unused by…
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Ancient Warfare (Digital) - 1 Issue, AW XVII.5