Person Information

  • Show Citations

    Flavius Josephus

    Birth: unknown

    Death: unknown

    Birth Date Prefix: c.

    Death Date Prefix:

Biography

FMS mentions him in her 1835 journal. On one page, she appears to have been taking notes of Roman/early Christian history, which is the context in which Josephus is mentioned.

Josephus was a first-century Jewish and Roman scholar. Josephus recorded Jewish history, with special emphasis on the first century AD and the First Jewish–Roman War, including the Siege of Masada. His most important works were The Jewish War (c. 75 CE) and Antiquities of the Jews (c. 94 CE). These works provide valuable insight into first century Judaism and the background of Early Christianity.

In the First Jewish-Roman War, Josephus initially fought against the Romans and acted as head of Jewish forces in Galilee, until surrendering in 67 to Roman forces led by Vespasian. Josephus claimed that Jewish Messianic prophecies made reference to Vespasian becoming Emperor of Rome and Vespasian, being intrigued, decided to keep him as a hostage and interpreter. After Vespasian did become Emperor in 69 CE, he granted Josephus his freedom, at which time Josephus assumed the emperor's family name of Flavius.

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
FMS mentions him in her 1835 journal. On one page, she appears to have been taking notes of Roman/early Christian history, which is the context in which Josephus is mentioned. Josephus was a first-century Jewish and Roman scholar. Josephus recorded Jewish history, with special emphasis on the first century AD and the First Jewish–Roman War, including the Siege of Masada. His most important works were The Jewish War (c. 75 CE) and Antiquities of the Jews (c. 94 CE). These works provide valuable insight into first century Judaism and the background of Early Christianity. In the First Jewish-Roman War, Josephus initially fought against the Romans and acted as head of Jewish forces in Galilee, until surrendering in 67 to Roman forces led by Vespasian. Josephus claimed that Jewish Messianic prophecies made reference to Vespasian becoming Emperor of Rome and Vespasian, being intrigued, decided to keep him as a hostage and interpreter. After Vespasian did become Emperor in 69 CE, he granted Josephus his freedom, at which time Josephus assumed the emperor's family name of Flavius.
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://www.josephus.org/life.htm
Title of Webpage: 
The Life of Josephus
Website Viewing Date: 
Monday, March 3, 2014 - 15:45
Website's Last Modified Date: 
Sunday, July 8, 2012 - 15:45
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
G. J. Goldberg
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://www.josephus.org/life.htm
Title of Webpage: 
The Life of Josephus
Website Viewing Date: 
Monday, March 3, 2014 - 15:45
Website Last Modified Date: 
Sunday, July 8, 2012 - 15:45
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
G. J. Goldberg
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Flavius-Josephus
Title of Webpage: 
Encyclopedia Britanica
Website Viewing Date: 
Monday, March 3, 2014 - 15:45
Website Last Modified Date: 
Monday, March 3, 2014 - 15:45