| Title: | BAGELS and other things of Jewish interest |
| Notice: | 1.0 policy, 280.0 directory, 32.0 registration |
| Moderator: | SMURF::FENSTER |
| Created: | Mon Feb 03 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Thu Jun 05 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 1524 |
| Total number of notes: | 18709 |
I've heard it said that Josephus was an objective historian
recording the events of his time.
I've also heard is said that he was biased.
I'd be interested in knowing your assessment of him and
his writings, and why you feel the way you do. It may
help me to read his material with a more accurately balanced
perspective.
Thank you.
Irena
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 447.1 | Josephus -- "off the top of my head" | MPGS::BARON | Mon Apr 11 1988 17:34 | 19 | |
It has been 20 to 30 years since I studied Josephus, but as I recall:
He was a Jewish leader of some sort during the Roman war against
Judea about 68 - 70 C. E. He was captured by the Romans and
given the option of living in Rome, where he retired and wrote
books (in Greek, the literary language of the day). One of 4
books that he wrote (I think it was 4.) was "The Jewish War" which
describes in great detail the Roman assault on Judea. Another of
the books was a history of the world.
Was he biased? I believe so. The question is, was he writing
propaganda. Perhaps not. But he was influenced by Judean
literature and culture. Also, he was trying to please and imitate
the world of Helenic literature that he now felt a part of.
I'll go back a dust off some old books in my library and see if I can
do better than try to recall the school-days of youth!
Shalom --- Menachem
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