The Roman siege ramp up to Masada remains to this day in the new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, SIEGE OF MASADA, premiering Friday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, examines the evidence behind this powerful legend. - Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Channel Copyright: 2015 - SmithsonianChannel_SeigeMasada_9006

Walter Zangler walks through one of the tunnels under Jerusalem in the new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, SIEGE OF MASADA, premiering Friday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, examines the evidence behind this powerful legend. - Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Channel Copyright: 2015 - SmithsonianChannel_SeigeMasada_9005

The hidden gate at Jerusalem in the new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, SIEGE OF MASADA, premiering Friday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, examines the evidence behind this powerful legend. - Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Channel Copyright: 2015 - SmithsonianChannel_SeigeMasada_9004

The remains of the Northern Palace at Masada in the new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, SIEGE OF MASADA, premiering Friday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, examines the evidence behind this powerful legend. - Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Channel Copyright: 2015 - SmithsonianChannel_SeigeMasada_9002

Dr. James Tabor stands inside one of the enormous cisterns that supplied Masada with water in the new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, SIEGE OF MASADA, premiering Friday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, examines the evidence behind this powerful legend. - Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Channel Copyright: 2015 - SmithsonianChannel_SeigeMasada_9001

The ruins of the dovecote at Masada in the new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, SIEGE OF MASADA, premiering Friday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, examines the evidence behind this powerful legend. - Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Channel Copyright: 2015 - SmithsonianChannel_SeigeMasada_7818

Dr. Candida Moss at the top of Masada in the new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, SIEGE OF MASADA, premiering Friday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, examines the evidence behind this powerful legend. - Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Channel Copyright: 2015 - SmithsonianChannel_SeigeMasada_7798

A scrap of parchment found at Masada from the new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, SIEGE OF MASADA, premiering Friday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, examines the evidence behind this powerful legend. - Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Channel Copyright: 2015 - SmithsonianChannel_SeigeMasada_03032

Dr. James Tabor rappels down the side of Masada to see the cave of skeletons in the new Smithsonian Channel one-hour special, SIEGE OF MASADA, premiering Friday, March 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, examines the evidence behind this powerful legend. - Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Channel Copyright: 2015 - SmithsonianChannel_SeigeMasada_0264