Library Corner

 “Josephus – The Complete Works” by Flavius Josephus; translated by William Whitson AM

 Reviewed by WBro Ernst Krauss

Religious ceremonies, sounds of armies moving and clashing, witnessing negotiations and smoothing differences of opinions, being banned into exile, and settling into a new life are pictures and soundbites invoked in the various books that Josephus ben Matthias or Flavius Josephus as he became to be known in Rome, has written. There are few comprehensive histories about the Jewish antiquity, the origins of the Old and New Testaments, the Jewish Wars with the Romans (and at times with themselves); explanations of the Hebrew Belief Systems and Culture from the times of Christ, before and after are all covered in the extensive writings of Josephus.

At about 13 years of age, Josephus joined the Priesthood and at a still young age became highly regarded for his scholarship, having studied under the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. He soon enough became embroiled in intrigues, left the priesthood to meditate with a Hermit, and tried to talk the Jewish Leaders out of warfare with the Romans, but became a General in the Jewish army as well and had to witness the massacre at Masada of the Jewish population in 66 CE that sought refuge in the fortress. He was captured by the Romans transported to Rome and through patronage by Vespasian and his wife was freed and became a Roman Citizen and a Christian. Both of Josephus’ choices marked him a traitor, betraying the Jewish people with attempts to subsequently discredit him. 

The detailed accounts of Josephus’s early life in the Jewish Provinces could not be more vivid. In the process, he also provides us with accounts of the reign and tribulations of Herod II, his ascent and decline, and the jealousy and infights between his children. We then hear about the events that are also described in the Old Testament, corroborating many events that have been mentioned there. Josephus provides overlapping histories that Historians are critical of as to their understanding there is ‘little academic rigor that can be discerned in Josephus’ writings’. That is of course understandable as the histories Josephus writes are his personal views and experiences over a long period. Besides personal experiences and observations, he no doubt had access to literature that is no longer available to us which enabled him to reach back into the then-antique times of the creation.

He was a contemporary of Pontius Pilate, Herod the Great, Agrippa I and Agrippa II, John the Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, and of Jesus. He was witness to the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans as retaliation for the Jewish revolt against Rome. He also describes through an eyewitness account the destruction of Jerusalem. He has first-hand knowledge of Emperor Nero’s acts in attempting to destroy Rome, the ascension of Vespasian to Caesar, and describes many other events in the Roman Empire that foreshadow the demise of the mighty Empire.

No matter what one thinks about the scholarship of Josephus, his works have withstood the times as the books were copied into many languages, based on Aramaic, Greek, and Latin, and were available in many Middle Eastern countries. The books, therefore, survived the destruction of the Grand Library in Alexandria. These books are the closest we have to better understanding the times around the times of Christ providing insight into Hebrew culture, Jewish life under the dominance of the Romans, life in Rome, and life as a Christian in Rome. No other accounts that have survived are that detailed and far-reaching into different aspects of life in the period. Many fables that found their way into later literature in Western, as well as Eastern cultures, find corroboration in Josephus’ books. Josephus’ history is recommended reading for all who seek to better understand antiquity and get a first-hand view of historical and monumental events at the time of the beginning of the Christian era. There is no source better and more authentic.

WBro David Shearer, PSGD
Grand Librarian