Antiquities of the Jews

Probably composed 93-94 A.D. the Antiquities remains an important account of Jewish history in the Roman period. Written in Rome, in the Greek language, it represents an attempt, at least in part, to present a noble portrait of the Jews – Josephus' own people – to educated Greeks and Romans. The work is divided into 20 books: the first 11 books are a summary of the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) up to the time of the Captivity, including the reign of Cyrus; the remaining books narrate events in three major periods – [1] The Hellenistic Age, [2] Herod's reign, [3] From the death of Herod until the beginning of the Jewish War (66 A.D.). Much in the last 9 books remains of great interest to historians and students of the Bible in its portrayal of the Intertestamental and New Testament periods in Palestine. The Maccabees and Herodians are described at length; New Testament events and persons (including John the Baptist and James, the brother of Jesus) are also mentioned.

NOTE: This title is included in the Version 5 and OneTouch Libraries.