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Life of Flavius Josephus

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

Josephus' autobiography.

The Life is Josephus' autobiography, written sometime before 97 A.D., and was appended to his Antiquities. Its main purpose is to vindicate Josephus against Justus of Tiberias (a contemporary and fellow historian of the Jewish War), and so distorts certain events. However, it remains the only source of information for Josephus' life, and can be viewed as an interesting supplement to the Jewish War.

History & Culture

Jewish