Josephus

Josephus (37-100 C.E.), known as Flavius Josephus (Roman) and Joseph Ben Matityahu (Hebrew) was a first century historian and writer who is most well noted for writing a first-hand account of the Jewish revolt against Roman occupation. Josephus fought against the Romans in the first Jewish-Roman war but after Roman forces invaded his garrison, surrendered, and eventually worked as a negotiator during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.

Josephus’ work has been used to help understand the context of the Dead Sea scrolls and late temple Judaism. His writing has also given additional accounts of major groups of people, places and events including the rise of Herod, Pharisees, Zealots and even John the Baptist and James, the brother of Jesus.