Jewish Antiquities: Books 1-3

Les Antiquités Juives #1

by Flavius Josephus, Henry St. John Thackeray

Josephus, soldier, statesman, historian, was a Jew born at Jerusalem about 37 CE. A man of high descent, he early became learned in Jewish law and Greek literature and was a Pharisee. After pleading in Rome the cause of some Jewish priests he returned to Jerusalem and in 66 tried to prevent revolt against Rome, managing for the Jews the affairs of Galilee. In the troubles which followed he made his peace with Vespasian. Present at the siege of Jerusalem by Titus, he received favours from these two as emperors and from Domitian and assumed their family name Flavius. He died after 97.

As a historical source Josephus is invaluable. His major works are: History of the Jewish War, in seven books, from 170 BCE to his own time, first written in Aramaic but translated by himself into the Greek we now have; and Jewish Antiquities, in twenty books, from the creation of the world to 66 CE. The Loeb Classical Library edition of the works of Josephus also includes the autobiographical Life and his treatise Against Apion.

488 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 94

About the author

Titus 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)

Reviews

[Lance Winstein]

It was essentially the first part of the Old Testament through the eyes of a Jewish historian. Slightly different from the Bible but still an interesting read.

[Phil]

I picked up the Jewish Antiquities of Josephus as part of my ongoing project of reading Classical authors who every one quotes, but doesn't read. Josephus falls into that category because he is tremendously useful for Jewish relations with Greece and Rome. In fact, he is probably the most important source for the period of the 2nd Temple, so is indispensable for Classical, Jewish and Christian historians.

Yet, I understand why people don't really read him in total. The Antiquities are very long and about two thirds of it are basically Old Testament paraphrase with the odd rabbinical elaboration. The remaining third is an expansion of the first few books of the more famous Jewish Wars of Josephus. The detail is useful, but can be a bit tedious after a while.

The Jewish Antiquities remain an important source, but I can see why one would prefer to mine it than to read it.

[Peter J.]

Was boring IMO.