According to this author, it was at Machaerus where John the Baptist was imprisoned and executed.
This writer relates a hilarious anecdote in which a soldier named Artorius escapes being burnt alive in a tower by jumping down and crushing to death his friend Lucius. An enemy leader named Castor tricks some emissaries into coming close before throwing rocks at them in a history by this writer. This writer is the only source on a campaign which was led by Flavius Silva and which involved a giant (*) ramp being built to a stronghold of the Sicarii. According to this author, it was at Machaerus where John the Baptist was imprisoned and executed. Controversy exists over the authenticity of this man's testimony on the crucifixion and his use of the word "Messiah" to refer to Jesus of Nazareth. After surviving a mass suicide, this man became an advisor to Vespasian. For 10 points, name this Jewish historian who wrote about Masada and the sack of Jerusalem in his book The Jewish War.
This writer relates a hilarious anecdote in which a soldier named Artorius escapes being burnt alive in a tower by jumping down and crushing to death his friend Lucius.
Josephus [or Titus Flavius Josephus; or Joseph ben Matityahu]