The New Complete Works of Josephus

Nobody annotates a translation like William Whiston did. This book was first published in 1737. The text Whiston had was less complete and had many transcription errors that hadn't yet been detected. At one point in his life, Whiston fell afoul of the church because he proudly adopted Arianism. This translation is a wonderful accomplishment and has made an impact on contemporary translators who surely compare their results with his.There can be no doubt that Flavius Josephus was a monumental historian. Without his works, we would know very much less about Judea and Israel than we do. In 'Antiquities of the Jews', we begin with the creation of the world and end up during the Maccabean revolt. Most of this longest history is drawn directly from books of the Bible. I hesitate to use the word 'summary', but it is also an explication of the Biblical text. For me, the most interesting parts are the story about Alexander the Great's visit to Jerusalem, the way the Septuagint was written. There are brief passages about Jesus Christ, St. John the Baptist, and St. James the Just. The authenticity of these passages was challenged even by Eusebius of Caesarea in 324 CE. Whiston defends the hypothesis that they are authentic.'The Wars of the Jews' takes us from the Maccabean revolt through the autobiography of Flavius Josephus. This work was originally written in his 'paternal tongue' (Aramaic). He then translated it into classical Greek. Only the Greek text survives. This is an autobiography written 400 years before its subject was born. Josephus became the governor of Galilee as a fairly young man. He was a bibliophile, a Pharisee, and a politician destined to witness Jerusalem destroyed in 70AD. The word 'Flavius' in his name meant he had been adopted by the emperor Vespasian and his son Titus. He was a member of the imperial household because he remained loyal to Rome.There are some minor works and a very early Christian sermon as well in this complete works. Whether you agree with Whiston that Flavius Josephus converted to Christianity is up to you. I'm not convinced that he did, and have developed the strong opinion that he did not.I like some contemporary translations better than this. Whiston wrote and translated well, but it is an 18th century idiom throughout. There's a degree to which this is delightful, but it's almost the fault of Josephus for using very odd grammar that this is a harder read than necessary. He was trying to imitate classical Greek authors in the original. This leads to an awkward style that can't always be improved by a translator.This is a good deep-cut and has a nice index. It has some wild opinions, of both Josephus and Whiston, and will be sure to raise many questions for you.

So glad I have this book. It gives a lot of insight in my studies in the biblical times. The most important factor for me is print size. For me, it is a bit small, but it is readable. (see last photo) I don't use that as a negative. I like the extras in the book.

The New Complete Works of Josephus is an impressive collection of writings that sheds light on the ancient world of Judea and Rome. Josephus, a Jewish historian and general, wrote extensively about the events that took place during his time, including the Jewish Wars, the fall of Jerusalem, and the lives of the ruling families of Judea. This book includes all of Josephus' major works and some of his lesser-known writings, making it a comprehensive look into the world of Antiquity.What sets this edition apart from others is the excellent translation and high-quality commentary. The editor, William Whiston, provides a helpful introduction to each work, as well as footnotes throughout the text, providing much-needed context and explanation for modern readers. Additionally, the appendix includes a wealth of information on the geography, customs, and people of the time, further enhancing the reader's understanding.Overall, The New Complete Works of Josephus is an essential resource for anyone interested in the ancient world and the history of Judaism and Christianity. It is a valuable addition to any library, whether personal or academic.

Very informative book

I like to read the books I buy and this one is OK, but has two issues. First, the translation used is from 1737 and, while understandable, could be updated for a more modern audience (which would be the Loeb version). Second, as a "complete works" volume, it is a heavy book. Very heavy. If you plan to read it, you will need to do so at a desk.

Looking for a good Biblical times historian? Titus Flavius Joesphus is he.

Good book

Exactly what we wanted.