Modern Milli Kimlik Olarak Josephus'un 'Masada' Hakan OLGUN* Josephus' Account of Masada as a Source of the National Identity of Modern Israel Citation/©: Olgun, Hakan, (2013). Josephus' Account of Masada as a Source of the National Identity of Modern Israel, Milel ve Nihai, 10 (1), 7-39. Abstract: Archaeology has become a most important legitimacy tool of the construction of the ethnic identity and nation-building for the modern ide- ologies. This is especially true for Israel. The modern state of Israel has turned the country into a virtual archaeological site to prove that they are the ancient owners of the land. Masada represents one of the centers of archaeological researches having this purpose. Mytical Masada definition shaped according to Josephus' account of Masada is seen as a major source forming Israeli national identity. However, there isa highly serious criticism about the reliability of archaeological data and the authenticity of Josephus' account of Masada. l<ey Words: Archaeology, Biblical archaeology, Israel, Zionism, Masada. Olgun, Hakan, (2013). Modern M illi Kimlik Olarak Josephus'un 'Masada' Milel ve Nihai, 10 (1), 7-39. Doç. Dr., Üniversitesi Fakültesi Dinler Tarihi Anabilim [holgun@istanbul.edu.tr]. MiLEL VE NiHAL inanç. kültür ve mitoloji dergisi cil o Ocak- Nisan 20