Meanwhile in Jerusalem various factions had begun fighting amongst each other leading some to leave the city and reinforce sites such as Masada, an ancient hilltop fortification in southern Judaea.
Titus subsequently continued to regain control of other parts of the province and by late 69 AD only Jerusalem and a number of other isolated strongholds such as Masada remained in Jewish hands.
Masada (מצדהmetsada "fortress") is an ancient fortification in the Southern District of Israel situated on top of an isolated rock plateau, akin to a mesa, on the eastern edge of the Judaean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea 20 kilometres (12mi) east of Arad.