The Works of Josephus

5B Flavian Josephus. London, 1701.

Notes

The works of Flavius Josephus are among the most important historical sources for understanding 1st-century Judaism, the Roman Empire, and the early context of Christianity. His major writings include The Jewish War, Antiquities of the Jews, Against Apion, and The Life of Josephus. The Jewish War, written around 75 CE, recounts the events of the First Jewish–Roman War (66–73 CE), including the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple. It offers both a firsthand account—Josephus was a commander during the revolt—and a Roman-influenced interpretation of the conflict. Antiquities of the Jews, completed around 93 CE, is a comprehensive 20-volume history of the Jewish people from creation to the outbreak of the war, intended to present Judaism in a favorable light to a Greco-Roman audience.

Against Apion is a defense of Judaism against anti-Semitic writers and critiques of Jewish tradition, emphasizing the antiquity and moral value of the Jewish faith. The Life of Josephus is an autobiographical work in which he defends his actions during the war and attempts to justify his cooperation with the Romans. Across his writings, Josephus blends personal experience, historical research, and political pragmatism. While modern scholars debate his accuracy and objectivity—given his shifting loyalties and Roman patronage—his works remain invaluable for their detailed descriptions of Jewish society, Second Temple practices, and early mentions of figures like Jesus, John the Baptist, and Herod the Great.

Description

Folio size. Modern rebinding measuring 32.2 cm x 21.6 cm. Morocco binding what blind stamped boarders, raised bands and gilt titles. Full page plate of the First Temple (p82), Ark with Cherubs (p83), four half-page engravings to pp 84-86, a further cut as 208 and the frontispiece of the Original Author. Title in red and black. Lacking last text leaf demo the table of chapter and the engraved folding map. Numerous pagination errors but all text is present. Bound with marbled endpapers. Some light rubbing to the bands and mostly clean pages with occasional dusting and marks throughout. Fine condition overall.