Flavius Josephus

Flavius Josephus

Flavius Josephus , AD 37–c.AD 100, Jewish historian and soldier, b. Jerusalem. Josephus' historical works are among the most valuable sources for the study of early Judaism and early Christianity. Having studied the tenets of the three main sects of Judaism—Essenes, Sadducees, and Pharisees—he became a Pharisee. At the beginning of the war between the Romans and Jews, he was made commander of Galilee, despite the fact that he had opposed the uprising. He surrendered to the Romans instead of committing suicide when the stronghold was taken. He won the favor of the Roman general Vespasian (Titus Flavius Vespasianus) and took his name, Flavius. He lived in Rome under imperial patronage, where he wrote the Greek-language historical works for which he is renowned. He wrote The Jewish War ; the famous Antiquities of the Jews, a history of the Jews from creation to the war with Rome; Against Apion, an exalted defense of the Jews; and his autobiography, or apologia. His complete works have appeared in English editions.

Bibliography: See H. St. John Thackeray, Josephus (1929, rev. ed. 1968); T. Rajak, Josephus (1983); L. H. Feldman, Josephus and Modern Scholarship (1984); L. Feldman and H. Gohei, ed., Josephus, Judaism, and Christianity (1987).

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"Flavius Josephus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Flavius Josephus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Josephus.html

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Josephus, Flavius

Josephus, Flavius (c.37–c.100), Jewish historian. He was a native of Palestine and a Pharisee. In 66 he took part in the Jewish War. After being taken prisoner, he won Vespasian's favour by prophesying that he would become emperor, and during the siege of Jerusalem he acted as interpreter to Titus. He returned with Titus to Rome and devoted himself to literary work. His Jewish War opens with a summary of events from the time of Antiochus Epiphanes to the outbreak of the war; the latter part is largely an eye-witness account. His Antiquities of the Jews traces the history of the Jews from the Creation to the beginning of the Jewish War. The reference to Christ as ‘a wise man, if indeed one should call him a man’ (18.3.3) in its present form is not authentic; it seems that Josephus mentioned Christ, but that his original reference was recast by an early Christian writer.

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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Josephus, Flavius." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Josephus, Flavius." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-JosephusFlavius.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Josephus, Flavius." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-JosephusFlavius.html

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Josephus, Flavius

Josephus, Flavius Jewish historian who lived from about 37 to 100 CE; during the rebellion against Rome he was commander of the forces in Galilee but was taken prisoner. He became the interpreter for Vespasian during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE and afterwards resided in Rome, well-regarded by the emperors, Vespasian and Titus. Josephus wrote the history of the Jewish War, laying blame for the revolt on a minority of fanatics. He tried to explain the Jewish faith to Gentiles in his Antiquities of the Jewish People but a reference in it to Jesus was expanded and made more favourable at an early date by a Christian scribe. The four extant works of Josephus are fundamental for our knowledge of Jewish life and history for the last two centuries BCE and the first CE.

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W. R. F. BROWNING. "Josephus, Flavius." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Josephus, Flavius." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-JosephusFlavius.html

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Josephus, Flavius." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-JosephusFlavius.html

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Josephus, Flavius

Josephus, Flavius (born Joseph ben Matthias) (c.37–c.100) Jewish historian, general, and Pharisee. A leader of the Jewish revolt against the Romans from 66, he was captured in 67; his life was spared when he prophesied that Vespasian would become emperor. He subsequently received Roman citizenship and a pension, and is remembered as the author of the Jewish War, an eyewitness account of the events leading up to the revolt, and of Antiquities of the Jews, a history running from the Creation to 66.

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"Josephus, Flavius." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Josephus, Flavius." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-JosephusFlavius.html

"Josephus, Flavius." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-JosephusFlavius.html

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Flavius Josephus

Flavius Josephus (c.37–c.100), Jewish historian, general, and Pharisee. His Jewish War gives an eyewitness account of the events leading up to the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 66, in which he was a leader. His Antiquities of the Jews is a history running from the Creation to 66.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Flavius Josephus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Flavius Josephus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-FlaviusJosephus.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Flavius Josephus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-FlaviusJosephus.html

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Josephus, Flavius

Josephus, Flavius (ad 37–c.98), a Jewish statesman and soldier. He came to Rome with Titus, was honoured with Roman citizenship, and devoted himself to study. He wrote in Greek a History of the Jewish War and Jewish Antiquities, which is a history of the Jews down to ad 66.

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MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Josephus, Flavius." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Josephus, Flavius." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-JosephusFlavius.html

MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Josephus, Flavius." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-JosephusFlavius.html

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Josephus, Flavius

Josephus, Flavius (ad 37–100) Jewish leader and historian. A Pharisee, he took part reluctantly in the revolt against Rome (66–70) and was captured. He found favour with Vespasian and settled in Rome in ad 70.

http://www.ccel.org/j/josephus/JOSEPHUS.HTM

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"Josephus, Flavius." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Josephus, Flavius." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-JosephusFlavius.html

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