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Josephus Flavious....
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He was born Joseph ben Mattathias in
Jerusalem in 37 CE,
a few years after the time of Jesus, during the time of the
Roman occupation
of the Jewish homeland. In his early twenties he was sent to
Rome to
negotiate the release of several priests held hostage by Emperor Nero. When
he returned home after completing his mission he found the nation beginning
a revolution against the Romans.
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Despite his foreboding that the cause was hopeless, he
was drafted into becoming commander of the revolutionary forces in
Galilee,
where he spent more time controlling internal factions than fighting the
Roman army. When the city of Jotapata he was defending fell to the Roman
general Vespasian, Josephus and his supporters hid in a cave and entered
into a suicide pact, which Josephus oddly survived. |
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Taken prisoner by Vespasian, Josephus presented himself
as a prophet. Noting that the war had been propelled by an ancient oracle
that foretold a world ruler would arise from Judaea, Josephus asserted that
this referred to Vespasian, who was destined to become Emperor of
Rome.
Intrigued, Vespasian spared his life. When this prophecy came true, and
Vespasian became Emperor, he rewarded Josephus handsomely, freeing him from
his chains and eventually adopting him into his family, the Flavians.
Josephus thus became Flavius Josephus. |
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During the remainder of the war, Josephus
assisted the
Roman commander Titus, Vespasian's son, with understanding the Jewish nation
and in negotiating with the revolutionaries. Called a traitor, he was unable
to persuade the defenders of Jerusalem to surrender to the
Roman siege, and
instead became a witness to the destruction of the city and the Holy
Temple. Josephus is our only source of knowledge
for much of the history of Judaism in the First
Century CE. His books provide essential background for an understanding of
both the beginning of modern Judaism and of the
New Testament in its historical setting. Four
of his works have survived.
The Jewish War
The history of the Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire in the years 66-74
AD/CE, as experienced by Josephus himself.
Antiquities of the Jews
The history of the Jews prior to the revolt, based on the Bible, other
Jewish writings, and the works of previous historians.
Against Apion
A defense of Judaism, answering an attack by a Roman author.
The Life
Josephus' autobiography. |
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