Political Assembly at the Synagogue

Josephus

Life of Josephus 277, 280

ca. 99

On the following day, therefore, everyone assembled within the prayerhouse, a huge edifice capable of receiving a large crowd, and when John entered, although not daring to speak openly about revolt, he did mention that their city was in need of a better governor. [ . . . ]

And immediately informed of these affairs, I resolved to visit Tiberias the next morning; and on the following day I came around the first hour from Tarichaeae, where I found the multitudes already assembling in the prayerhouse, but those gathering together were unaware as to what the occasion was for their having an assembly.

Translated by William Whiston, adapted by Aaron Samuels.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.

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Creator Bio

Josephus

37–100

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.

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