Roman 1st-century thought to be Josephus. Photo: Wikipedia
josephus
ancient jewish writer
Flavius Joseph (37-100 CE) was a first-century CE Jewish historian who wrote an extensive history of the Jews and of the Jewish revolt against the Romans that led to the destruction of the Second Temple. He started out as a commander of the Jewish forces in the Galilee but surrendered following his defeat at the hands of Vespasian. Josephus convinced Vespasian that he was destined to be emperor (he was!) and for this juicy info Vespasian spared Josephus life. Josephus became a Roman citizen and accompanied Vespasian’s son, Titus, when Titus lay siege to Jerusalem and ultimately sacked the city in 70 CE. Jospehus wrote two influential works, The Jewish War and Antiquities of the Jews which recounted the Great Revolt, the famous fall of Masada, the Maccabees, King Herod, and the history of 1st-century Jewish life. He remains the biased but standard source of that time period.
