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Life of Herod
The dramatic story of an enlightened, civilised benefactor and murderous tyrant. The Life of Herod is a gripping historical account composed with knowledge and involvement by Josephus, the Jewish Historian and apologist of the 1st century AD, from whose Jewish antiquities' the crises and triumphs of Herod's career are vividly recounted inthis translation. It provides an extroadinary insight into the political machinations and emotional turmoil of a despot whose grandiose aims were achieved at expense of personal happiness.
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 1998
About the author
Flavius Josephus
1,592 books222 followersTitus Flavius Josephus was a 1st-century Romano-Jewish historian and hagiographer who was born in Jerusalem - then part of Roman Judea - to a father of priestly descent and a mother who claimed royal ancestry.
He initially fought against the Romans during the First Jewish–Roman War as the head of Jewish forces in Galilee, until surrendering in 67 to Roman forces led by Vespasian after the six-week siege of Jotapata. Josephus claims the Jewish Messianic prophecies that initiated the First Roman-Jewish War made reference to Vespasian becoming Emperor of Rome. In response Vespasian decided to keep Josephus as a hostage and interpreter. After Vespasian did become Emperor in 69, he granted Josephus his freedom, at which time Josephus assumed the emperor's family name of Flavius.
Flavius Josephus fully defected to the Roman side and was granted Roman citizenship. He became an advisor and friend of Vespasian's son Titus, serving as his translator when Titus led the Siege of Jerusalem, which resulted -- when the Jewish revolt did not surrender -- in the city's destruction and the looting and destruction of Herod's Temple (Second Temple).
Josephus recorded Jewish history, with special emphasis on the 1st century AD and the First Jewish–Roman War, including the Siege of Masada, but the imperial patronage of his work has sometimes caused it to be characterized as pro-Roman propaganda.
His most important works were The Jewish War (c. 75) and Antiquities of the Jews (c. 94). The Jewish War recounts the Jewish revolt against Roman occupation (66–70). Antiquities of the Jews recounts the history of the world from a Jewish perspective for an ostensibly Roman audience. These works provide valuable insight into 1st century Judaism and the background of Early Christianity.
Alternate spelling:
Flávio Josefo (Romance languages)
He initially fought against the Romans during the First Jewish–Roman War as the head of Jewish forces in Galilee, until surrendering in 67 to Roman forces led by Vespasian after the six-week siege of Jotapata. Josephus claims the Jewish Messianic prophecies that initiated the First Roman-Jewish War made reference to Vespasian becoming Emperor of Rome. In response Vespasian decided to keep Josephus as a hostage and interpreter. After Vespasian did become Emperor in 69, he granted Josephus his freedom, at which time Josephus assumed the emperor's family name of Flavius.
Flavius Josephus fully defected to the Roman side and was granted Roman citizenship. He became an advisor and friend of Vespasian's son Titus, serving as his translator when Titus led the Siege of Jerusalem, which resulted -- when the Jewish revolt did not surrender -- in the city's destruction and the looting and destruction of Herod's Temple (Second Temple).
Josephus recorded Jewish history, with special emphasis on the 1st century AD and the First Jewish–Roman War, including the Siege of Masada, but the imperial patronage of his work has sometimes caused it to be characterized as pro-Roman propaganda.
His most important works were The Jewish War (c. 75) and Antiquities of the Jews (c. 94). The Jewish War recounts the Jewish revolt against Roman occupation (66–70). Antiquities of the Jews recounts the history of the world from a Jewish perspective for an ostensibly Roman audience. These works provide valuable insight into 1st century Judaism and the background of Early Christianity.
Alternate spelling:
Flávio Josefo (Romance languages)
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 17, 2016
Many of the ancient historians are absolute musts. I wasn't much interested in a Roman-Jew's account of Romanised Judea, but I found it in a 2nd hand shop, a fabulous folio edition in pristine condition so of course I made love to it on the bookshop floor and then ran home screaming joy.
The reward was unexpected.
If you've seen "I, Claudius" (BBC) or read the book (Robert Graves), then there's your comparison; Life of Herod reads like 'I, Herod' in that it too is a culminating tangle of Sopranos-like family intrigues.
"Friends, I'm hitting the road but if anything happens to me, don't forget to put my beloved wife and mother in law to the sword. Oh and don't tell me wife I left you these instructions, she'll be really mad..."
There's nothing much about battles, details wise, but enough about Mark Antony, Cleopatra (who comes on to Herod at one point, probably because he had an appendage and a pulse. And power). Also Agrippa, the Caesars and of course, all kinds of zealots at cross purposes. Ancient history is old school fun.
The reward was unexpected.
If you've seen "I, Claudius" (BBC) or read the book (Robert Graves), then there's your comparison; Life of Herod reads like 'I, Herod' in that it too is a culminating tangle of Sopranos-like family intrigues.
"Friends, I'm hitting the road but if anything happens to me, don't forget to put my beloved wife and mother in law to the sword. Oh and don't tell me wife I left you these instructions, she'll be really mad..."
There's nothing much about battles, details wise, but enough about Mark Antony, Cleopatra (who comes on to Herod at one point, probably because he had an appendage and a pulse. And power). Also Agrippa, the Caesars and of course, all kinds of zealots at cross purposes. Ancient history is old school fun.
November 13, 2024
Bros wife sent Marc Antony a nude in 30Bc
October 20, 2008
Note: this is a life of Herod the Great, not Herod Agrippa or the Herod of Herodias and John the Baptist fame. It was written by Flavius Josephus, whom according to some texts may actually have been a tutor for J Chrizzy while hiding in Egypt from the same Herod. Small World.
October 1, 2016
I read this book in order to gain a better understanding of the culture and times in which Jesus was born. The ways of caesars and kings stands in stark contrast to those of the king born in a manger in an insignificant little town outside of Jerusalem...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews