Flavius Josephus

Born in Jerusalem around AD 37, Josephus was a Jewish historian of priestly and royal descent whose writings became essential sources for understanding the ancient world. He was educated in Jewish law and, while still a young man, became involved in the turmoil that led to the Jewish revolt against Rome.

During the war he served as a commander in Galilee, was captured by the Romans, and later lived under imperial patronage. Taking the name Flavius Josephus, he spent much of the rest of his life writing in order to explain Jewish history and the war to a wider Roman audience.

His best-known works include The Jewish War, Antiquities of the Jews, and Against Apion. Together they preserve detailed accounts of political conflict, religious life, and daily customs, making him one of the most important surviving historians of the 1st century.