MASADA Author:Brian Smith MASADA presents a controversial view of a subject sacred to Christians. Zealots, who are Jewish nationalists and sworn enemies of Rome, conspire to remove the Herodian dynasty supported by the Romans. Their intention is to manipulate and promote Jesus the Nazorean as the expected Messiah and in so doing, create a king whom they can control for... more » their own ends. Against this background of unrest, dual stories unfold. In the year AD73, after the Roman army have laid siege to the great fortress Masada defended by Zealots for three years, a means if found of entering this mighty stronghold. What is discovered when the fortress is breached, shocks even battle hardened Roman soldiers. Meanwhile, two disparate young men, Servius, a Roman centurion and Ephram, a Jewish trader and nephew of the infamous Judas Iscariot, meet and despite their national, religious and political differences, become firm friends. However, such a friendship has the odds stacked against it.« less