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Josephus
Josephus
(c.
37
AD/CE
– c.
100),
who became known, in his capacity as a
Roman
citizen, as Flavius Josephus, was a
1st century
Jewish
historian and apologist of priestly and royal ancestry who survived and
recorded the
Destruction of
Jerusalem in
70.
His works give an important insight into first-century
Judaism.
The
works of Josephus provide crucial information about the First
Jewish-Roman War. They are also important literary source for
understanding the context of the
Dead Sea Scrolls
and post-Second
Temple Judaism….Josephus offers information about
individuals, groups, customs and geographical places. His writings
provide a significant, extra-biblical account of the post-exilic period
of the
Maccabees,
the
Hasmonean
dynasty and the rise of
Herod the Great.
He makes references to the
Sadducees,
Jewish
High Priests
of the time, Pharisees and
Essenes,
the
Herodian Temple,
Quirinius'
census and the
Zealots,
and to such figures as
Pontius Pilate,
Herod the Great,
Agrippa I
and
II,
John the Baptist,
James the brother
of Jesus, and a
highly disputed
reference to
Jesus.
He is an important source for studies of immediate post-Temple Judaism
(and, thus, the context of
early
Christianity).
See also:
The
Catholic Encyclopedia
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Our Young Folks'
Josephus
Antiquities of the Jews
The Jewish Wars
retold by William Shepard
click on image for larger
view
appropriate for ages nine +
"Jump back in time to a
place where historical accounts of the Hebrews are
brought to life in an exciting narrative style.
The history of Ancient Israel is revealed in a
first-hand account from the great historian Flavius
Josephus. Our Young Folks' Josephus is a
compilation of his two greatest works, Antiquities of
the Jews and The Jewish Wars. You'll marvel at the
history that is played-out before your eyes. A
journey that begins with the call of Abraham and ends
with the destruction of Jerusalem and the fall of
Massada. This is a must-have for any bookshelf."
"...this outstanding book is
once again in print! Starting with Abraham, the
patriarch of the Hebrews, the story is told through 70
A.D. We see how the Old Testament intertwines with
Alexander the Great, the many Ptolemys, Maccabeus,
Aristobulus, Caligula, Vespasian, the fall of Massada,
and other events and people of the time."
{reviews from the back
cover of The Young Folks' Josephus}
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Story of the Last Days of
Jerusalem
from Josephus
retold by Alfred Church
click on image for larger
view
Young Adult
"The "Story of the Last Days
of Jerusalem" is an adaptation of Josephus' dramatic
first-hand account of the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70
in his famous historical work, "The Jewish Wars."
It captures in detail one of the greatest tragedies of
all time, often overlooked in more contemporary
histories. Some of the scenes are particularly
graphic and are not suitable for younger or more
sensitive readers. But this volume is an
invaluable addition for the more mature student who is
interested in studying the final history of Ancient
Israel, yet does not have the time to read Josephus'
original but very lengthy work.
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