The premier Jewish historian of Greco-Roman antiquity.

Josephus, soldier, statesman, historian, was a Jew born in Jerusalem around AD 37. A man of high descent, he became well-versed in Jewish law and Greek literature from a young age and was a Pharisee. After advocating for some Jewish priests in Rome, he returned to Jerusalem and in 66 attempted to prevent a revolt against Rome, managing Galilee's affairs for the Jews. In the ensuing troubles, he made peace with Vespasian. Present during the siege of Jerusalem by Titus, he received favors from these two emperors and from Domitian, adopting the family name Flavius. He died after 97.

As a historical source, Josephus is invaluable. His major works include: The History of the Jewish War, in seven books, covering the period from 170 BC to his own time, initially written in Aramaic but translated by himself into the Greek we have today; and Jewish Antiquities, in twenty books, spanning from the creation of the world to AD 66. The Loeb Classical Library edition of Josephus's works, which consists of thirteen volumes, also includes the autobiographical Life and his treatise Against Apion.

Pages: 512, Year of Publication: 0101, Dimensions: 10.8x10.8cm