About the Author Josephus Flavius (ca. 37-100) was a Jewish historian, diplomat, and military leader, and the sole source of information concerning numerous events in the final centuries of the Jewish state. According to his own account, Josephus was born to an aristocratic, priestly family in Jerusalem. He was well educated in Judaism and in the Greek disciplines. At the age of 16 he became interested in the principal Jewish sects of his time and lived 3 years in the wilderness with a hermit, probably an Essene. At 19 Josephus became a Pharisee. At 26 he went on a mission to Rome and succeeded in securing the release from prison of several Judean priests. He came home impressed with the grandeur and might of Rome, only to find that the Jewish revolt had started. Josephus was appointed governor of Galilee with responsibility for its defense. After his defeat at Jotapata, he escaped but later surrendered to the Romans. They treated him well, largely because his prediction that Vespasian would become emperor came true. Formerly known as Joseph ben Mattathias, Josephus took the Emperor's family name, Flavius. He was an eyewitness to the siege and fall of Jerusalem, after which he returned to Rome, where Vespasian granted him Roman citizenship and a pension. Subsequently, Josephus devoted himself to writing. Read more
M**S
Don’t Purchase!!! Just Read Your Bible. ...
Don’t Purchase!!! Just Read Your Bible. I purchased thinking that a lot of real history would be contained that the Bible omitted. Not so!
W**.
A historical landmark
Good product but I was expecting a hard cover book. I like the translation but it was not written for speed reading. It does allow the reader to savor what must have been the style in the original language. The letter type is small requiring good reading glasses or good vision. The footnotes at the end of given chapters are a plus, usually footnotes appear at the end of the document. I could not find a reference regarding the picture on the softcover. In brief, I just wish the publishers would have printed such a pivotal work in two or three volumes and using a larger letter type.
J**E
like myself, who read and love the bible
This is an absolute classic in the very sense of the word. For those of you, like myself, who read and love the bible, this is an incredible book written by a man who was actually there. It gives you quite a sense of the political landscape of the period. It really answered a lot of questions I had when reading the bible. I am, however, a bit biased as I truly enjoy this time period. I've come to understand that the United States is quite similar to Rome.
K**L
Zero stars. Sloppy production. All you get is an introduction. Amazon, dump this version please.
Someone goofed big time. There is no Josephus' Antiquities here. All you get is an introduction. It appears that the people who scanned this text failed to check up on their results. Don't waste your time. Ignore this title and chalk it up to "haste makes waste" on the part of the producers.If you want a wonderful version of Josephus' "Antiquities of the Jews" get the version put out by "mobile Reference" for 99cents.
A**N
Great book!
Great book - am learning a lot from reading this.
I**L
Biblical History
This is a great companion book for Bible students and teachers who need a historical perspective on Scriptures being studied or taught. Josephus lived in the same century as Jesus, but a few years later. He had available to him many books and records that did not survive the past two thousand years.
J**.
An Excellent Book
It's a real good translation of Favian Josephus' work and it capture the story of the Jews without getting to preachy like a sermon.
C**T
Great Book
Very useful history of the Jewish people. The footnotes are excellent. A must have for study of the Old Testament.
Trustpilot
4 days ago
1 day ago
