Josephus
(38-100 CE)

Born as Yoseph ben-Mattiyahu to a family related to Hasmoneans. In Josephus joins an ascetic wilderness sect. and three years later joins the Pharisees. Sent by the Sanhedrin Josephus completes the mission to Rome. In 66 he is appointed commander of Galilee by Sanhedrin upon outbreak of the Great Revolt. After losing the 47 day battle at Yodfat, Commander Josephus surrenders to Vespasian, the Roman commander. He serves as personal historian for Titus, Vespasian’s son. Titus releases Josephus from captivity. Josephus on the request of Titus, attempts to persuade Jews in Jerusalem to attempt ceasefire. In 70 CE Josephus settles in Rome and is granted citizenship, Roman pension and land in Judea. Josephus later becomes a major Jewish historian and defender of Jewish rights in Rome. Some literary work Josephus has written is;
The Jewish War - written in Aramaic and translated to Greek. Josephus describes the Great revolt.
The Jewish Antiquities – a history of Jews intended to praise the ancient roots of the Jewish nation.
The Life – this work attempts to argue against the claim made by Justus of Tiberias the Josephus was an enemy of Rome during the Great Revolt
Against Apion- this work is written about the anti-Semitic contentions brought by Apion and looks into Judaism and compares and contrasts it with Hellenism. Josephus wrote this to defend rights and honor.

by J.K.