# Flavius Josephus

## Biography

Flavius Josephus, originally named Yosef ben Mattityahu, was born in Jerusalem around 37 or 38 CE into an aristocratic priestly family. A precocious scholar, he was consulted on Jewish law from a young age and aligned himself with the Pharisees. During the First Jewish-Roman War, he initially served as a commander of Jewish forces in Galilee. Following his capture by the Romans at Jotapata, Josephus became an advisor to Vespasian and later his son Titus, ultimately adopting the imperial family name Flavius and gaining Roman citizenship. He settled in Rome, where he dedicated his life to writing. His seminal works, including "The Jewish War" and "Antiquities of the Jews," offer invaluable firsthand accounts and historical perspectives on the Jewish people, their customs, and the turbulent events of the first century CE, particularly the devastating revolt against Roman rule. Josephus died sometime after 100 CE.

## Books

- [The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem](https://samolit.com/books/96171)
- [Antiquities of the Jews](https://samolit.com/books/96083)