Supply Lines.

[Antiochus of Seleucia]

How exactly were supply lines protected? For instance, how would a large chain of supply from Jeruselum to Masada be protected from bandits and/or terrorists?

 

Cavalry escorts? Armed drivers?

[caldrail]

It wasn't to any great degree. By that stage resistance had almost finished. Remember that the jewish revolt wasn't a national effort, more the efforts of zealots to impose their creed on judaea and remove roman occupation. It was sectarian violence like we see today, the difference being that the roman army doesn't bother with policing or peacekeeping duty like modern armies. It simply marches in and crushes resistance.

 

However, a modicum of infantry guards or cavalry riders may well have been employed to keep an eye just in case. I haven't seen that recorded anywhere though and the impression I get is that the supply of the Masada besiegers was not under threat by that stage.

[Gaius Octavius]

If the train were large enough, it would have 'boots' at the van and the rear with cavalry scouts on the flanks and also acting as points. Much the same as a marching legion with its baggage in the middle of the legion.

[caldrail]

The jerusalem/masada supply line was a constant stream going either way. Its estimated that four hundred donkey loads arrived each day. They wouldn't arrive as one convoy, but as groups of animals led by handlers before unloading and returning.