The Life of Flavius Josephus

by Flavius Josephus, William Whiston (Translator)

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Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Classics, Christianity, Theology, Religion

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 99

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

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Biblical scholar and historian you have to read the primary sources. I have always wanted to engage Josephus for myself but felt daunted by the task. Don't be daunted--it's not that hard. However, it was difficult to keep my momentum going when the little sections started blurring together. First I led some soldiers to Sepphoris and then we went to Tiberius and then Justus was treacherous so I fought him. The men of Galilee love me...then they listened to Jonathan and rebelled against me. I have a man crush on Vespasian.

It was interesting to see Jewish idioms outside of the Bible and villages in the Galilee that never appear in the Bible at all. The title itself may mislead modern readers because this is mainly an account of Josephus' military campaigns and peace keeping ventures. As he mentions at one point, he is trying to counter what another historian has written about these events and about Josephus' actions.

Important for a scholar but not the most enjoyable read.

[Shane Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2024 reads: 22

Rating: 3 stars

[Khari · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do I think of this book?

I think Josephus was an...interesting person. Who was probably not a very good historian. But, he's what we got, so I'm glad he wrote something down.

Reading this was supremely intriguing for two reasons. One was that the 19th century editor/compiler was bound and determined that Josephus was a christian. I have no idea where he could have gotten this idea. I mean, the dude divorced his wives for no reason three times, and was constantly lying. Oh, excuse me, he called it 'his stratagems' for avoiding conflict, and saving people...right. I don't know, if you have that many people trying to kill you constantly, I think maybe it would be time for some self-reflection that maybe what you are doing is wrong? Maybe? Of course, I know next to nothing about this time period, literally the only source I've read is Josephus, so you would think I would come down more on his side, but yeah, nope. I do not like the guy. He seemed very arrogant, self-aggrandizing, and just plain annoying. Also, did I mention the divorced part? For no reason? He just marries people, finds them dissatisfying, and goodbye. Oh, but in order to marry HIM they must be virgins of good standing and good family....I wouldn't give my daughter to a guy with his record...

But yeah, back to the 19th century, or maybe earlier, compiler/editor. He was really fawning. Josephus was definitely a Christian, because he had miraculous dreams....uh huh. Well, he was writing his own autobiography.....couldn't he possibly have written that to make himself sound better? Does seem like something he would do...And Mohammed claimed to have miraculous dreams as well, did that make him a Christian? I can't even. The fawning was horrendous.

The other reason I kind of got into up above. Josephus was constantly congratulating himself on 'avoiding bloodshed' and his 'stratagems' and 'innovations', but it seemed like to me he just had a lot of politicking going on and currying favor with rich people. Again, if so many people are out to kill you and can convince whole towns of people you rule over that you suck...probably there is some basis for their opinion.

Anyway, I now know a teeny weeny bit more about the time period than I did before...but not really.

[Vladimiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'introduzione è molto interessante e le note, sempre precise e abbondanti, sono a pié di pagina.
Il testo è quello che é: il racconto personale e di parte di un breve ma fondamentale periodo di vita dell'autore, quello al comando della Galilea (divisa tra governo ribelle, filoromani e fazioni varie) agli inizi della guerra giudaica.

La narrazione è soffocante: tutti sono pronti a tradire, Giuseppe ne sa sempre "una più del diavolo", tutti i suoi avversari politici imbrogliano e manipolano senza ritegno. Manca insomma il pathos, o almeno non viene trasmessa al lettore partecipazione emotiva per le vicende. Il testo è interessante, più che altro insomma, perché di così approfonditi non ne esistono molti.

Ovviamente da leggere solo dopo aver letto "La guerra giudaica".

[Rick Ludwig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aside from the early portion and the final portion of this ancient autobiography, the author presented a confusing, self-serving, and overly detailed depiction of a very short portion of his life--his involvement in the Jewish Wars. This is especially surprising as he focused a much longer work on the actual events of the Jewish War that was substantially more readable. Here, he seemed obsessed with defending every action he made during this time. His defense is poorly structured and suggests to the reader that Josephus was clumsy, self-motivated, and apt to change alliances at the drop of a hat. He describes himself as a great general, basing this on his ability to avoid fighting as much as possible. He characterizes his enemies as notorious liars, but doesn't really provide evidence to support this view. He skates over the fact that he was the only one of his officer corps to survive a suicide pact in the chief battle he actually fought, and lost, against the Romans. A battle he came out of smelling like a rose, when he switched sides and flattered the commander with a prophesy that he would one day be emperor, which through a series of disjointed events -- he actually did.

Why you must be thinking, would I give this as high a rating as three stars? A reasonable question. I have to say watching a shady but crafty character try, unsuccessfully, to obscure his obvious deficiencies almost 2000 years ago, is quite engaging. This isn't history; it's unintentional farce. I couldn't put it down. It is fascinating to discover that modern politicians have invented nothing new in the past 2000 years. Their feckless efforts at self rehabilitation through reimagining history are no more successful than Josephus's

[Paul Quick · Rating 2 out of 5]

book written in conversational style not literary so gave it only two stars. however, had big impact because of relationship of josephus with two roman emperors is described in detail. he was given gifts of tax-free land in judea by titus. his enemy jonathan was put to death at the roman emperor's command.
josephus after capture by roman's was treated as a friend more than a prisoner.

he divorced his first wife and married a crete jewish women.

he had been accused while commanding galilean forces of collaboration with the Romans. interestingly, by his own admonition he was reluctant to engage the Romans and seemed to be engaged off/on in conflict with john and jonathan of greater Israel.

israel was split into samaria idumea judea perea galilee so many players in josephus's writings. herod antipas was king of galilee and perea where most of jesus activities occurred. pontiys pilste waa royal governor of judea so that is why pontius sent him to antipas. according to apochrypha godpel of peter it antipas that decided to execute jesus. however , josephus does not clarify this but does discuss antipas in other regard. during jossphus time the last king if judea Agrippa is discussed who was given rule over land as vast as his grandfather herod the great. mainly because he supported claudius to become emperor after assassination of Caligula.

[Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Flavius Josephus and although I have heard of him and read excerpts from his writing, I had no idea how articulate and clearly stated his histories could be. It is likely that the translators polished the wording some, but overall I can highly recommend Josephus as a history source and for readability. His life was contemporary with the life of Jesus Christ and following that the Destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman Army and his autobiography is written a bit like a Cliff Notes version of his life. There are so many intrigues and battles, both political and physical in such a short book that one gets a sense that that time in history was purely chaotic, but if one stretches the apparent timeline out several decades, then it becomes more sensical. Recommended.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a bit of an introduction to the works of Josephus, which I hope to read in the future. As an eyewitness to many of the events of the first century, he is invaluable. I'm not sure his own analysis of his character and his cleverness is the most reliable. He apparently never did anything wrong, he was only "tricking" his enemies into thinking he was frightened, or he "intended" secretly to give all the gold away, or things like that that. And he has an amazingly long rant against Justus, whose history contradicted his. That was pretty amusing.

All told, his "life" mostly covered a very short period in Judea shortly before the destruction of the temple, when it sounds like there was a huge amount of unrest and fighting of factions among the Jews.

[Tanner Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A primary source from the last few years of the Second-Temple period of Judaism, which gives indispensable insight into the socio-political climate of the time. Josephus reflects on the various factions among the Jews during the mid first century and their plights in revolting against their Roman despots. Although Josephus is often criticized for his self-aggrandizing rhetoric, he gives useful information for understanding the relationship between the Romans and the Jews leading up to and during the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.

[Brooke Tremblay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m trying to keep in mind this was written thousands of years ago. The writing style does remind me of many passages of the Bible in the way he breezes through huge events in just a few sentences, mostly accounting for how many people were involved and the end result. I found Josephus to be boastful, but that may be a product of the time. I wish I had a version that provided a bit more historical and cultural context. I was so lost halfway through that I had to start over. I had to look up words every few paragraphs which also took me out of things. This was a slog to get through.

[Patricia Wolverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new look outside of the Bible

I had been wanting to read about Josephus for some time. After reading Homer and Plutarch, I was pleasantly surprised how easy he was to read. I had to stay focused and sort of read between his writing and anchient Roman , and Hebrew history. I got the sense that he was revealing his own experience with Rome and their dealings with the Hebrews. I think he was trying to give an accurate account of the early Christians as well.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josephus clearly lived a dangerous and interesting life during the Roman occupation on Palestine. His autobiography is short and he mentions one Jonathan of Tiberias and others who planned to "bringing [sic] vehement accusations against me" in order to discredit an honest man. Maybe I feel a bit of a kinship with him.

[Dani]

Small but great piece that covers an important but not commonly known part of history.

Josephus’ character and perception of himself is clear in this autobiography of sorts which is why I’m glad it’s my first piece of his I’ve read. It will be something I will keep in mind when considering how much of his work can be trusted—more so in considering much of his work dramatized.

[D Des Roches · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, With Other Books

This book is not a self-contained biography, as the title seems to suggest. You must also read the other historical books written by Josephus to get his whole biography. This just fills in the gaps in the other books.

[Jérémie Cascales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autobiography of Josephus against the accusation of Justus about his first work (The wars of the jews), really interesting and very small, great book to start in the works of Josephus and understanding where he came from.

[Joan K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting little book. Josephus was a very smart man. I found it fascinating how he dealt with people in order to avoid bloodshed. So great to read about some history in the first century.

[Garrett Lampson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read

It's very interesting reading history translated from such old texts. I enjoyed this and would recommend it to history buffs.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting for sure.

[Scot León Pfuntner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quote from Josephus, from his historical first-century writings entitled, "Antiquities Of The Jews," Book #18, Chapter 2, section 3.
"Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, (footnote here says: A.D. 33, April 3). those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; (footnote here says: April 5). as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.

[Yann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Les autobiographies sont dans l’antiquité aussi rares que les biographies communes. Celle-ci est l’œuvre d’un des principaux protagonistes du drame de la guerre ayant opposés juifs et romains au premier siècle de notre ère, dont il fit le récit détaillé dans la poignante et instructive guerre des juifs. C’est pour Flavius Josèphe l’occasion de dissiper les ombres qui assombrissent le rôle qu’il eut en tant que responsable de la défense de la Galilée, puisqu’il passa finalement dans le camp romain et devint un familier du général de l’armée ennemie, le futur empereur Vespasien, fait que ne manquèrent pas de lui reprocher certains de ses compatriotes moins chanceux. L’accent est mis sur la rivalité qui l’opposa au brûlant de jalousie Jean de Guischala, à la tête d’une ville où le sentiment anti-romain était des plus puissant, nourrissant l’illusion d’une possible victoire contre le formidable oppresseur. Mais la rivalité avec Rome n’était pas sans nuances dans cette région vallonnée, les riches habitants de Sepphoris préférant ainsi la sûreté d’une alliance garantissant la jouissance de leurs bien aux hasard d’une révolution dangereuse pouvant renverser l’ordre social, tandis que d’autres places comme Tibériade étaient divisées par des factions irréconciliables, où il ne fallait pas moins de courage que d’intelligence pour manœuvrer dans des circonstances aussi extraordinaires que périlleuses.

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting autobiography of Flavius Josephus, told with much detail. The footnotes especially are very informative and help to give background knowledge to the events that are related. However, more than any kind of autobiography, this book seems more to be a defense made by Josephus against his detractors, mainly Justus, for his actions during the Jewish War.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the famous Josephus during the Jewish war against the Roman rule, Josephus gives the reader a nice insight into his life and how he tried to manage the rebellious Jews. I highly reccommend it!

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually reading on-line at Project Gutenberg, not the Kindle version...

[Alexander Rolfe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is nice and short, but it fails to elaborate on any of his actions covered in The Jewish War.

[John S Darden · Rating 5 out of 5]

History

The Life of Flavius Josephus is a very interesting book. It is full of history from a historians personal perspective.