Jerusalem's Traitor: Josephus, Masada, and the Fall of Judea

Definitely a heavy book to read during the war but still really informative and interesting. I have two books by Josephus that I haven't read yet but I think this book was good to read first to basically tell me to take some of his writing with a grain of salt. It is interesting that despite being Jewish that he was on Rome's side the entire time.

Although, I've long known of Josephus and heard of his works in various contexts, I have never read any of it. This was a solid introduction to both his works of history, modern scholarship on him as an individual and author, and to the events of which he was a chronicler. It helped fill in a number of holes in my understanding of both the regional and larger history--and explained why the war with the jews was so important to Rome (ie, why it was given such prominence on a monument like Titus' arch). It also provides an interesting account of at least one of the roots of anti-semitism in the roman/western tradition.

It was a well-written, quick and easy read without feeling watered-down.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested show more in either Roman or Jewish history.

NOTE: Borrowed from the Anne Arundel County Library

(2016 Review #8) show less

Josephus is responsible for one of the few first century mentions of Jesus. He is also the only one history has preserved who relays the history of the fall of Masada, a siege that is still influential today in Jewish culture in Israel. This book is mainly a biography of Josephus and a history of the siege and fall of Jerusalem. The story of Josephus has to be pieced together from his writings (several have survived). The fall of Jerusalem has a few chroniclers but Josephus was actually there and his history was approved by Roman leadership who were also there.

It's fascinating but also very sad. Lots of death and destruction. Many thousands of people died in the revolution where Jews killed Jews and then more as Rome re-asserted their show more power. Much of it seems so needless as we see the foolish choices of the different factions in Jerusalem fight and kill each other as much or more than they fought the Romans. show less

The author is supportive of Josepheus and his writings, trying to find (and usually succeeding) in finding reasons for what he wrote. He does caution that the numbers of fighters on each side may be exaggerated. Glad I read it.