Flavius, Josephus
A.D. 37 – c.100
Jewish Historian and Apologist
by Rit Nosotro First Published:: 2003( )
Josephus, the Jewish historian, survived and recorded the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.1 His works are very important, as they provide significant insight into first-century Judaism.2 His two most notable works are The Jewish War and The Antiquities of The Jews, written in c. 75 and c. 96 respectively. ‘The Jewish War’ is about the Jewish revolt against Rome in c. 66 – c.70, while ‘The Antiquities of The Jews’ is about the history of the world from a Jewish perspective. Flavius was born at Jerusalem, to a renowned family with priestly and royal ancestry and he declared himself descended from the Hasmonean dynasty. He was born in the first year of the reign of the Roman Emperor Gaius.3 Flavius was well educated, and because he spent much of his time with many notable scholars, he developed a very good memory and a lot of power of judgment. He was also very familiar with the Pharisees and Sadducees at the time. 4 Josephus was also known as Yosef Ben Matityahu, or Joseph the son of Matthias, but was known as Titus Flavius Josephus when he became a Roman citizen after the Jewish war.5
In the year 66, the Jewish revolt broke out. At first, like most of the aristocratic Jews, Josephus did not agree with his fellow countrymen who went on about how they felt confined, and their extreme religious emotions. However, very soon, the priestly and the upper class, including Josephus, joined the rebellion, and Flavius was chosen to be the commander-in-chief in Galilee. In every city he set up a council of judges all whom shared his political views. Josephus conducted all the diplomatic negotiations as well as the military activity with cautiousness and care. At first, the Jews were successful in their revolt but then Roman General Vespasian advanced and murdered many people and burned many homes. For six whole weeks Josephus and other courageous people defended themselves in a fortress. However, finally, when they ran out of water and other necessities, the Romans killed everyone, except Josephus who escaped by hiding in a cistern, and only came out when he was guaranteed his life would not be taken.6 He then traveled to the Roman headquarters for the period of the war working as an interpreter for Roman authorities. Afterwards, when Vespasian became king, he freed Josephus, whom he had taken captive, and Josephus spent the rest of his life writing books about the history of the Jews, and the war.7
Josephus works are very important as they provide a lot of information about the war and the Jewish people. First, he wrote The Jewish War, which was divided into 7 books.8 This work was all about the war of independence of the Jews. Now, though this work of his is consistent, the account of his part in the war is greatly mixed with self-praise.9 ‘Historian E. Mary Smallwood wrote:
(Josephus) was conceited, not only about his own learning but also about the opinions held of him as commander both by the Galileans and by the Romans; he was guilty of shocking duplicity at Jotapata, saving himself by sacrifice of his companions; he was too naive to see how he stood condemned out of his own mouth for his conduct, and yet no words were too harsh when he was blackening his opponents; and after landing, however involuntarily, in the Roman camp, he turned his captivity to his own advantage, and benefitted for the rest of his days from his change of side.’10 After The Jewish War, Flavius wrote a 20-volume work called the Antiquities of The Jews, which is about Jewish scriptures and their history post-biblical times. He wrote a few others but these two were of the greatest importance. He always wrote in graceful Greek to persuade the educated class of his time, and steer them from narrow-mindedness and intolerance against Judaism to synpathy.11 Josephus was a strong and loyal Jew, however, he preferred to stay on the good side of the Romans. He was an apologist, and used his works to draw people to empathize with the Jews; however, he never sided with any extremist Jews who talked about rebellion, and attacked them openly.12 Flavius was an important Jewish historian, and without his records of the war, and the history of the Jews, we would be missing vital information about Judaism.
Works Cited Page:
Wikipedia.org. "Josephus.” World History. May 28. 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus>
Newadvent.org. "Catholic Encyclopedia." World History. May 28. 2009. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08522a.htm>
Atheism.about.com. "Atheism.about." World History. May 28. 2009. <http://atheism.about.com/od/biblepeoplenewtestament/p/Josephus.htm>
Newadvent.org. "Catholic Encyclopedia." World History. May 28. 2009. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08522a.htm>
Wikipedia.org. "Josephus.” World History. May 28. 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus>
Newadvent.org. "Catholic Encyclopedia." World History. May 28. 2009. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08522a.htm>
Atheism.about.com. "Atheism.about." World History. May 28. 2009. <http://atheism.about.com/od/biblepeoplenewtestament/p/Josephus.htm>
EarlyJewishWritings.com "Josephus.Works.” World History. May 28. 2009. <http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/josephus.html>
Newadvent.org. "Catholic Encyclopedia." World History. May 28. 2009. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08522a.htm>
Wikipedia.org. "Josephus.” World History. May 28. 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus>
Atheism.about.com. "Atheism.about." World History. May 28. 2009. <http://atheism.about.com/od/biblepeoplenewtestament/p/Josephus.htm>
Newadvent.org. "Catholic Encyclopedia." World History. May 28. 2009. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08522a.htm>
Endnotes:
4 Websites used:
Wikipedia.org. "Josephus.” World History. May 28. 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus>
Newadvent.org. "Catholic Encyclopedia." World History. May 28. 2009. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08522a.htm>
Atheism.about.com. "Atheism.about." World History. May 28. 2009. <http://atheism.about.com/od/biblepeoplenewtestament/p/Josephus.htm>
EarlyJewishWritings.com "Josephus.Works.” World History. May 28. 2009. <http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/josephus.html>
