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The Jewish War, Books I-II
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."
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."
624 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 75
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About the author
Flavius Josephus
1,534 books211 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 1, 2012
The final four pages blew me away. If you don't read this book see if you can download a copy of the ending at least. It was by far the most heartfelt part of this book and I have not read a more fabulous ending in a long time though some parts in the middle slogged a bit. He really encapsulated his feelings on the meaning of death and atrocity so well, that I found myself re reading these last few pages savoring them. I was surprised at the brutality in this one. I think if they made this into a movie no one would be able to watch it, it would be so terribly bloody. The story of the woman eating her baby and offering it to the soldiers was fairly poignant I thought. The way the cities were ransacked and then retaken over was fairly intense, and when people tried to run away they perished as well, it seemed like a fairly hopeless situation and the Jews were so under armored and under skilled not just against the Romans (even though they had the numbers) but against other factions as well. I just couldn't get enough of the life of Herod either, that was comparable in scope to anything Shakespeare wrote, Father killing sons, betrayal on all ends, vying for power it was all very dramatic really.
July 19, 2025
More fun to read than the 'Life' but hard to follow. I took rough notes especially to keep track of the general shape of what was going on because he jumps from one episode to another with no interlude or explanation.
May 17, 2021
The best part of book 2 is the detailed description of the Essens. A great complementary read to the dead sea scrolls.
June 25, 2014
This first volume of the Loeb edition of Josephus has, ironically, one of the earliest of Josephus' writings, the Autobiography, and the last one, Against Apion. The first, the Autobiography, is an interesting early attempt to justify his actions in the lead up to and early campaigns of the Jewish War in Galilee. It has a rather different purpose than the Jewish Wars in that Josephus is trying to justify his actions as a Jewish general in face of accusations of dereliction of duty. It makes an interesting comparison to the later history, but can be a bit tediously self-justifying.
The Against Apion is Josephus' last shots at other historians of the Jewish War, so includes some interesting discussion of the Greek historical tradition as well as Josephus' insistent claim that Judaic wisdom predates Greek. It is a bracing relief to the sometimes insistent claims of the superiority of Greek wisdom. Josephus is very scrappy here, so sometimes not particularly fair. A useful read when considering the reaction of non-Greek/Roman cultures to Hellenization.
The Against Apion is Josephus' last shots at other historians of the Jewish War, so includes some interesting discussion of the Greek historical tradition as well as Josephus' insistent claim that Judaic wisdom predates Greek. It is a bracing relief to the sometimes insistent claims of the superiority of Greek wisdom. Josephus is very scrappy here, so sometimes not particularly fair. A useful read when considering the reaction of non-Greek/Roman cultures to Hellenization.
October 6, 2013
Frankly, this is a real page-turner. Never thought it would be, but it held my attention all the way tlll the end. Any reader interested in learning about the historical period of the New Testament should read Josephus. You'll be amazed at the overlap of historical figures, places, offices, geographical features, details, etc. with the New Testament, especially Luke-Acts. Couldn't put it down, so went through Vol III-IV and now that I'm done with that, will move on to finish The Jewish Wars and then continue with his Life and other writings.
October 14, 2012
Excellent historical information. I have only read a portion of it but find it interesting.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews