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Antiquities of the Jews
Flavius Josephus
Flavius Josephus (c. 37-100 A.D.) is an important Jewish historian whose writings present one of the best sources for the period of the New Testament. The details of his life are to be found almost exclusively from his autobiography, Life of Flavius Josephus. Born in Jerusalem, apparently of priestly and noble lineage, well educated, he joined the sect of Pharisees as a youth. He was allowed to plead the case of the Jews in the imperial city by the procurator Felix – only to be shipwrecked before he arrived. As the revolt against Rome began in earnest, Josephus joined the Zealots, acting as a military commander in the Jewish War (66-70 A.D.). In defeat, he saved himself and was apprehended by the Romans, gradually entering into the confidence and good graces of the Emperor Vespasian. With the Emperor Titus, Josephus acted as envoy and mediator between the Jews and Romans. He returned with Titus
An important account of Jewish history in the Intertestamental and New Testament periods.
Probably composed 93-94 A.D. the Antiquities remains an important account of Jewish history in the Roman period. Written in Rome, in the Greek language, it represents an attempt, at least in part, to present a noble portrait of the Jews – Josephus' own people – to educated Greeks and Romans. The work is divided into 20 books: the first 11 books are a summary of the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) up to the time of the Captivity, including the reign of Cyrus; the remaining books narrate events in three major periods – [1] The Hellenistic Age, [2] Herod's reign, [3] From the death of Herod until the beginning of the Jewish War (66 A.D.). Much in the last 9 books remains of great interest to historians and students of the Bible in its portrayal of the Intertestamental and New Testament periods in Palestine. The Maccabees and Herodians are described at length; New Testament events and persons (including John the Baptist and James, the brother of Jesus) are also mentioned.
History & Culture
Jewish