Roman Jews Support the Judean Community
Josephus
ca. 75
In Rome Archelaus had to face another challenge, this time brought by a number of Jews who had set out before the revolt, and with Varus’ blessing, to make a formal case for an autonomous nation-state. There were 50 on this embassy, but they were supported by more than 8,000 of the Jews living in Rome. Caesar summoned an advisory council of…
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Creator Bio
Josephus
Flavius Josephus was born into a prominent Jewish priestly family and served as a general stationed in the Galilee during the First Jewish Revolt (66–73 CE). He was captured by the Romans and eventually integrated into the Flavian imperial aristocracy, who commissioned him to compose chronicles of the Jewish–Roman war and the history of the Jews. Josephus’ works, all written in Greek, include The Jewish War, Jewish Antiquities, Against Apion, and his autobiography, Life of Josephus. These writings provide important insights into the Judaisms of the Second Temple period and include one of the few surviving accounts of the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.