Josephus Flavius’s remarkable work gave its author enduring fame. Translated into all European languages, this excellent book by the ancient historian is still worthy of attention by all educated people after two thousand years.
The edition includes 7 books. The first two cover the history of the Jewish people—from events in Judea during the Sixth Syrian War of Antiochus Epiphanes and the subsequent Maccabean revolt (166–160 BC) to the defeat in 66 AD of the Roman Syrian ruler Cestius Gallus by the Jewish rebels with the XII Fulminating Legion; afterward, the rebels established a rule independent of Rome. The following books describe the events of the Jewish War of 66–71, including the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, ending with the fall of Masada.