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Masada, Israel - Masada (a romanisation of the Hebrew "Metzada", from "metzuda" meaning "fortress") is the name for a site of ancient palaces and fortifications in the South District of Israel on top of an isolated rock plateau, or large mesa, on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. Masada became famous after the First Jewish-Roman War (also known as the Great Jewish Revolt) when a siege of the fortress by troops of the Roman Empire may have led to a mass suicide of the site's Jewish Sicarii fugitives when defeat became imminent. Since the sole source of information is Josephus, whose historical accuracy is suspect, this popular conception of mass suicide may not have occurred. Today, Masada is a very popular tourist destination.