Josephus
FLAVIUS (-sē'fus), a famous Jewish historian; born in Jerusalem in A. D. 37. On his mother's side he was descended from the Asmonæan princes, while from his father, Matthias, he inherited the priestly office. He enjoyed an excellent education, and at the age of 26 he went to Rome to plead the cause of some Jewish priests whom Felix , the procurator of Judæa, had sent JOSHUA thither as prisoners. He obtained their release and received valuable gifts from the empress. On his return to Jerusalem he found his countrymen eagerly bent on a revolt from Rome, from which he used his best endeavors to dissuade them; but failing, he professed to enter into the popular designs. He was chosen one of the generals of the Jews, and sent to Galilee. When Vespasian and his army entered Galilee, Josephus threw himself into Iotapata, which he defended for 47 days. When the place was taken, the life of Josephus was spared by Vespasian through the intercession of Titus. of Titus .
Josephus thereupon assumed the character of a prophet, and predicted to Vespasian that the empire should one day be his and his son's. Vespasian did not release him from captivity till he was proclaimed emperor (A. D. 70).
Josephus was present with Titus at the siege of Jerusalem, and afterward accompanied him to Rome, receiving the freedom of the city. He assumed the name of Flavius, as a dependant of the Flavian family. His works are written in Greek, and are: "History of the Jewish War" (about A. D. 75); "Jewish Antiquities" (about A. D. 93) His own "Life" (not earlier than A. D. 97); "A Treatise on the Antiquity of the Jews, " or "Against Apion." He died about A.
D. 100.