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Who was Flavius Josephus?

Updated: 12/22/2022
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Josephus, also known as Yosef Ben Matityahu, was born in 37 CE and died around 101 CE. He was a Jewish priest, military leader and historian. At the onset of the First Roman-Jewish War (66-70 CE), he was given command of Jewish forces in Galilee. After the Jewish garrison of Yodfat was overrun by the Romans, most of the survivors committed suicide, leaving Josephus to surrender.

Josephus told his captor, Flavius Vespasian, that a star or comet that appeared in the sky around 66 CE was a sign that Vespasian was the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews, and that he would become emperor of Rome. When this came true, Josephus was released from slavery with great honours and took the family name of his conqueror, calling himself Flavius Josephus.

As a Roman citizen, he began to write a series of works about Jewish history, trhe most important of which was probably Jewish Antiquities, published in 93 CE. His works are read with caution by modern historians because he took care in his writings not to offend the Romans, while at the same time providing the best case for the Jews. Nevertheless they are seen as an important insight into Jewish history and culture. Largely ignored by the pagan Romans and even the Jews, the works of Josephus survived because of Christian interest. There is little or no extra-biblical evidence for the early figures in Christianity, but the works of Josephus (with or without interpolation) were seen as giving a hint as to their historicity.

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Flavius was a Roman praenomen and there were many men who had the name. There was even an imperial dynasty, the Flavian, who carried the name. Flavius Josephus, the historian and all his sons had the name Flavius. The Conqueror of Masada was named Lucius Flavius Silva and Justinian's general Belisarius had the name Flavius. Constantine was also named Flavius.


Who was flavius josepheus?

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Related questions

When was Josephus Flavius Cook born?

Josephus Flavius Cook was born in 1838.


When did Josephus Flavius Cook die?

Josephus Flavius Cook died in 1901.


Where did flavius josephus die?

Flavius Josephus was born in 0037, in Jerusalem, Judea [now Israel].


When was Flavius Josephus Carpenter born?

Flavius Josephus Carpenter was born on 1851-03-24.


When did Flavius Josephus Carpenter die?

Flavius Josephus Carpenter died on 1933-08-02.


What is the birth name of Flavius Josephus?

Flavius Josephus's birth name is Yosef Ben Matityahu.


Who was the famous Jewish general who joined the Romans and wrote a detailed history of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD?

He was Josephus ben Matthias, who later changed his name to Flavius Josephus, in honor of his patron Vespasian.He was Josephus ben Matthias, who later changed his name to Flavius Josephus, in honor of his patron Vespasian.He was Josephus ben Matthias, who later changed his name to Flavius Josephus, in honor of his patron Vespasian.He was Josephus ben Matthias, who later changed his name to Flavius Josephus, in honor of his patron Vespasian.He was Josephus ben Matthias, who later changed his name to Flavius Josephus, in honor of his patron Vespasian.He was Josephus ben Matthias, who later changed his name to Flavius Josephus, in honor of his patron Vespasian.He was Josephus ben Matthias, who later changed his name to Flavius Josephus, in honor of his patron Vespasian.He was Josephus ben Matthias, who later changed his name to Flavius Josephus, in honor of his patron Vespasian.He was Josephus ben Matthias, who later changed his name to Flavius Josephus, in honor of his patron Vespasian.


Is there a copy of a book written by Josephus Josephus ben Matthias or Josephus Flavius available to be read?

The books of Josephus are commonly available. Check the website of Abebooks.


What was flavius josephus's date of birth?

37 Anno domini (year of the Lord)


What did flavius do?

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What was Josephus of Jerusalem known for?

Titus Flavius Josephus, was also called Joseph ben Matityahu but generally known as Josephus of Jerusalem. Josephus was most well know for being the scholar who witnessed the sack of Jerusalem.


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The Gospel writers all record it, as does Flavius Josephus.