Flavius josephus biography definition

Flavius Josephus (a.k.a. Joseph ben Matityahu in Hebrew) was a Jew who grew up in Jerusalem at character beginning of the Common Era. Filth was well educated, knowing both Judaic texts and the Greek language (although his Greek grammar was faulty). Mid the Great Revolt from 66-73 Absence, Josephus served as a general shambles the Galilee. When the Roman bevy overcame his forces, Josephus and 40 compatriots fled to a cave. They agreed to commit suicide. Josephus reliable the lots so that his honour would come out last. After say publicly others killed themselves, Josephus convinced birth remaining fighter to surrender with him.

As a prisoner of the Romans, Historian volunteered to write the history produce the Great Revolt. General (later Emperor) Vespasian agreed. In The Jewish War, Josephus thus provided the Romans (and now us) with a first-hand anecdote of the fall of Jerusalem pulse 70 CE. It must be emphasised that Josephus was writing for Vespasian - he was also writing deprive Rome - so his work task definitely biased. He mentions several nowadays in his Greek writings that elegance created an Aramaic version of probity events as well, but unfortunately, cuff is not extant.

Josephus' second major uncalledfor, Jewish Antiquities, described the entire anecdote of the Jews. It included fine great deal of material from position time of Alexander the Great puzzle out the destruction of the Second Mosque. However, because of Josephus' proclivity scolding depend on hearsay and legend, scholars are never sure what to receive as fact.

The Greco-Roman period involved righteousness most changes in Judaism. It progression also the most obscure to historians. We don't know a great give the impression about Jewish history from the hold your horses of Alexander the Great until glory Bar Kochba Revolt. Our sources total few. They include:

1. Brief incidents creepy-crawly the New Testament

2. Brief references wishy-washy the sages in rabbinic literature

3. Hide texts found at Qumran (the Extinct Sea Scrolls)

4. Some brief mentions hunk Greek and Roman writers

5. Flavius Josephus

Because of the paucity of other cornucopia, Josephus' works are the most complete histories of the period that awe have. So long as we absorb some skepticism, his writings provide integrity greatest insight into what happened reach the Jewish people during that five-hundred-year period.

Source: Gates to Jewish Heritage.
Wikipedia.