The Antagonists

Plot

This is a historical character study of Eleazar Ben Yair and Flavius Silvia the opposing leaders respectively of the Siracii subgroup of the Jewish Zealots and the Roman Procurator of Judea and General of the elite Xth Roman Legion during the seige of Masada. Gann relied on the works of Josephus and archeological research to create his novel. We learn that contrary to popular belief there were survivors: an old woman and 5 children(including the son of Eleazar) under the age of 5. Josephus' writing comes from his interview with a survivor.

The back story is that the fortress had been built by Herod for his own use in the event of a Jewish revolt. After Herod's reign ended, the Zealots escaped Jerusalem and occuped Masada for 3 years prior to the seige. From there they conducted raids against the Romans until the Emperor Vespesian directed Flavius Silva to subdue the nuisance.

Gann picks up the story during the building of the ramp designed to access and penetrate the ramparts of Masada and most of the action here is during its building. Silva from a patrician Roman family is a widower who plans to retire to his newly constructed estate in Rome once the inevitable is accomplished. Delays in defeating Masada bring the Emperor's political pressure via Pomponius Falco a manipulative noble sent to Silva's camp. For his part Silva thinks the Emperor doesn't understand the complexity of the situation (sound familar?) and considers Falco an intruder.

Other characters to the story include Sheva a Jewess who is Silva's mistress, Abigal an old woman to whom Eleazar goes for advice, Ezra a warrior who surrenders to the Romans during the building of the ramp with the intention of facilitating Roman Legionnaires' disloyalty due to the extreme heat of the area.

The story alternates between Silva's viewpoint and Eleazar's. Each discusses his strategy with advisors. A late night negotiation between the two antagonists on the serpentine path to the top of Masada comes to naught.

Gann's excellent writing created an engrossing story. I was attracted to it because it is outside his normal subjects of flying and sailing. When published, the book was so well received that it was adapted to a movie starring Peter O'Toole and Peter Strauss.

Once the siege is completed Silva disappears from history, while a visit to Masada is part of an Isreali soldier's training.