Perspective

The author of "The Jewish War," Josephus was born in 37 A.D. into the priestly family of the early Hasmonaeans. He was fully qualified through education, training, and experience to present an historical record of the Jewish War that he lived and participated in. He was educated in a Jerusalem rabbinic school and studied and lived with Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes for three years. Josephus lived in Jerusalem as a Pharisee but then traveled and lived in Rome till 66. The Jews revolted against Roman oppression and Josephus hid to avoid arrest and execution for collusion with the Romans. When the moderate party controlled Jerusalem, the priest and scholar Josephus became commander of Galilee. The Romans captured Josephus in Jotapata where he foretold Roman commander Vespasian would become emperor. Josephus accompanied Vespasian and his son Titus in 69, on a campaign to Alexandria, Rome, and Jerusalem, which infuriated Jews but...