Josephus' The Jewish War
Interlinear version (Beta)
About
Josephus, born Joseph ben Matthias to a priestly family in Jerusalem, wrote The Jewish War as both participant and witness to the events he describes.
Originally composing the work in Aramaic (now lost) before translating it to Greek, he documented the Jewish revolt against Rome (AD 66-74) from a unique position: first as a Jewish commander who fought against Rome, then as a Roman collaborator after his capture.
While his account provides invaluable historical details about the period, his complex relationship with Rome—including his patronage by the Flavian emperors—requires careful consideration when evaluating his perspective. Though sometimes criticized for potential bias, particularly in his portrayal of Jewish factions and his justification of Roman actions, The Jewish War remains our most detailed source for this pivotal period in Jewish history.
Unlike some of his other works, the authenticity of The Jewish War is not disputed, though scholars debate the extent of later Christian interpolations in the transmitted text.