Herodian Palaces & Machaerus Fortress
Herodian Palaces & Machaerus Fortress (Monumental palaces at Jericho , Herodium, Masada , and Machaerus where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded): Archaeological excavations of Herod's winter palaces at Jericho and hilltop fortress-palaces at Masada , Herodium, and Machaerus (Transjordan), featuring Roman opus reticulatum masonry, heated bathhouses, and royal banquet halls. It is closely linked with Josephus: Account of John the Baptist (Antiquities of the Jews 18.5.2 account of John the Baptist's preaching, immersion, and execution at Machaerus): Josephus's detailed and universally accepted historical record of John, called the Baptist, describing his moral righteousness, baptism for bodily purification, imprisonment by Herod Antipas at Machaerus, and execution out of fear of rebellion.
