
A dramatization of the historical siege of the Masada citadel in Roman Palestine by legions of the Roman Empire in AD 73. A siege that ended when the Roman armies entered the fortress, only to discover the mass suicide by the Jewish defenders when defeat became imminent.

Negotiations between Roman leader General Cornelius Flavius and Jewish rebel leader Elezar ben Yair leads to the inevitable standoff on Masada.

The Jewish rebels, safe and watered atop their mountain stronghold of Masada, goad the sun-tortured Roman army below. Meanwhile, two angry Centurions plan a revolt against their haggard leader.