Flavius Josephus (c. 37–100 AD) was a Jewish historian and military commander whose works provide invaluable insights into the history of the Jewish people during the 1st century. Born in Jerusalem, Josephus initially fought against the Romans during the First Jewish-Roman War but later surrendered and became a Roman citizen. Josephus’s most significant works include “The Jewish War” and “Antiquities of the Jews.” “The Jewish War” chronicles the events leading to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, while “Antiquities of the Jews” covers Jewish history from creation to the Jewish War.
His writings not only serve as essential historical documents but also provide a first-hand account of the Jewish experience during a tumultuous period. While Josephus’ reliability is sometimes questioned, his works remain crucial for understanding ancient Jewish history and the context surrounding the events leading to the destruction of the Second Temple.
