Life and Reliability of Josephus: An Introduction

The article presents an introduction to the life and works of Josephus, the most important Jewish historian from the first century AD. Josephus played an active role in the First Jewish revolt against the Romans. After he was captured, he prophesied to Vespasian, his captor, that he would become the emperor. When he did, Josephus was enlisted as an associate, negotiator, and interpreter to Vespasian’s son Titus. Josephus’ work “The Jewish War” is of utmost importance for understanding the revolt because of Josephus’ direct involvement in many events described in it. It gives valuable insights into the rebels’ motives, the war’s course, and the eventual Jewish defeat. As a Hellenized Jew, Josephus presented Jewish history from the earliest biblical times and composed some of the best apologies of Judaism. He also refuted anti-Jewish accusations spread throughout the Greco-Roman world in the “Antiquities of the Jews” and the treatise “Contra Apionem”. His works may be considered the most valuable source of Hellenistic Jewish philosophical and theological thought of classical antiquity. Looking at it from a Christian perspective, Josephus is highly valued for his detailed descriptions of Judea before, during, and after the time of Jesus’ life on earth and the establishment of the Church. His writings provide the most comprehensive extrabiblical description of the social, political, and religious context in which Christianity and the Church were born