In 72 CE the Roman Governor, Flavius Silva, arrived at the foot of Massada, with the Tenth Legion, auxiliaries and 10,000 Jewish slaves. He built a dyke around the base of the mountain and eight siege camps to prevent escape. On the western side, he later built a ramp of beaten earth, stones and logs. While he did this, the Jews hurled down boulders and rounded rocks and fired arrows from their bows. In time the Romans positioned a siege tower on the ramp and then a battering ram. The year was 73 CE. The siege was approaching its denouement. http://www.travelnet.co.il/israel/BeerSheva/beer22-MASSADA.htm