flat mountaintop fortress in Israel near coast of Dead Sea, where Jews made a last desperate stand against Romans in AD 72–73; about 1,424 ft (434 m) high with an area of 18 acres (7 hectares) on top; dominated by palaces and fortresses built by Herod the Great; after fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, it was the last defensive outpost; Roman force of about 15,000 spent nearly two years battling 1,000; all but seven of defenders killed themselves instead of surrendering.