Josephus
Roman–Jewish historian and general who chronicled the First Jewish–Roman War.
Flavius Josephus (born Yosef ben Mattityahu; c. AD 36 – c. 100) was a Roman–Jewish historian and military leader. He is best known for writing The Jewish War, which recounts the Jewish revolt against Roman occupation, and for his other works that provide insight into first-century Judaism and the background of Early Christianity. Born in Jerusalem to a priestly father and a mother of Hasmonean royal ancestry, he initially fought against Rome during the First Jewish–Roman War as a general in Galilee before surrendering and eventually defecting to the Roman side.
- born
- c. AD 36
- died
- c. AD 100
- field
- History, military leadership
- nationality
- Roman–Jewish
- known_for
- Writing The Jewish War, Antiquities of the Jews, and The Life of Flavius Josephus; serving as a general in Galilee and later as a Roman advisor and historian
Lore & Background
Josephus was born into one of Jerusalem's elite families, the second-born son of Matthias, a Jewish priest. His mother was an aristocratic woman descended from the Hasmonean dynasty. He was raised in Jerusalem and educated alongside his brother. At around 26 years old, he traveled to Rome to negotiate the release of Jewish priests imprisoned by Nero, succeeding with the assistance of Nero's wife, Poppaea, and a Jewish actor. Upon his return to Jerusalem at the outbreak of the First Jewish–Roman War, he was appointed military governor of Galilee, where he trained 65,000 troops and fortified towns in anticipation of a Roman onslaught.
Reader's Guide
Josephus's works are the chief source next to the Bible for the history and antiquity of ancient Israel, providing an independent extra-biblical account of figures such as Pontius Pilate, Herod the Great, John the Baptist, James (brother of Jesus), and Jesus of Nazareth. His writings also represent literary source material for understanding the context of the Dead Sea Scrolls and late Temple Judaism. While traditionally identified as a Pharisee, some scholars in the mid-20th century challenged this view, with Steve Mason arguing in 1991 that Josephus was an orthodox Aristocrat-Priest who associated with the Pharisees as a matter of deference. His life story remains ambiguous, with critics questioning his survival of a suicide attempt in Galilee and his acceptance of Roman patronage.
Did You Know?
- Josephus claimed that Jewish messianic prophecies referred to Vespasian becoming Roman emperor, leading Vespasian to keep him as a slave and interpreter.
- After Vespasian became emperor in AD 69, he granted Josephus his freedom, and Josephus assumed the family name Flavius.
- Josephus served as a translator for Titus during the siege of Jerusalem in AD 70, which resulted in the destruction of the Second Temple.
- Josephus married four times, with his fourth wife being a Greek Jewish woman from Crete, and had sons including Flavius Hyrcanus, Flavius Justus, and Flavius Simonides Agrippa.
Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)
"And when the book of Daniel was showed him [Alexander the Great] wherein Daniel declared that one of the Greeks should destroy the empire of the Persians, he supposed that he himself was the person intended." — Josephus "Their exercises are unbloody battles, and their battles bloody exercises." — Josephus "I protest openly that I do not go over to the Romans as a deserter of the Jews, but as a minister from thee." — Josephus "Antipater, now undisputed heir, had called down on his head the utter loathing of the nation, for everyone knew that all the slanders directed against his brothers had originated with him." — Josephus
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