Josēphus Flavius

, a celebrated Jew, born in Jerusalem, who signalized his military abilities in supporting a siege of 47 days against Vespas i an and Titus, in a small town of Judæa. When the city surrendered, there were not found le than 40,000 Jews slain, and the number of captives amounted to 1200. Joseph us saved his life by flying into a cave, where 40 of his countrymen had also taken refuge. He di uaded them from committing suicide, and when they had all drawn lots to kill one another, Joseph us fortunately remained the last, and surrendered himself to Vespas i an. He gained the conqueror’s esteem, by foretelling that he would become one day the master of the Roman empire. Joseph us was present at the siege of Jerusalem by Titus, and received all the sacred books which it contained from the conqueror’s hands. He came to Rome with Titus, where he was honoured with the name and privileges of a Roman citizen. Here he made himself esteemed by the emperors Vespas i an and Titus, and dedicated his time to study. He wrote the history of the wars of the Jews, first in Syriac, and afterwards translated it into Greek. This composition so pleased Titus, that he authenticated it by placing his signature upon it, and preserving it in one of the public libraries. He finished another work, which he divided into 20 books, containing the history of the Jewish antiquities, in some places subversive of the authority and miracles mentioned in the scriptures. He also wrote two books to defend the Jews against Apion their greatest enemy; besides an account of his own life, . Joseph us has been admired for his lively and animated style, the bold propriety of his expre ions, the exactne of his descriptions, and the persuasive eloquence of his orations. He has been called the Livy of the Greeks. Though in some cases inimical to the christians, yet he has commended our Saviour so warmly, that St.  Jerome calls him a christian writer. Joseph us died A.D. 93, in the 56th year of his age. The best editions of his works are Hudson’s, 2  vols. , folio, Oxford, 1720, and Haver camp’s, 2  vols. , folio, Amsterdam, 1726. Suet on i us , Vespas i an , .