Description
By: Flavius Josephus (37 – c.100)
Minor Works of Josephus by Flavius Josephus is a collection of lesser-known writings by the famed Jewish historian and scholar. While not as well-known as his seminal work “The Jewish War” or “Antiquities of the Jews,” these minor works provide valuable insight into various aspects of Jewish history and culture.
One of the standout pieces in this collection is “Against Apion,” where Josephus defends the Jewish people against slanderous accusations made by the Alexandrian writer Apion. Through a detailed rebuttal, Josephus successfully refutes these accusations and showcases his strong defense of Jewish customs and beliefs.
Another interesting work included is “The Life of Flavius Josephus,” an autobiographical account of the author’s life and experiences – providing readers with a personal glimpse into the world of this influential figure.
Overall, Minor Works of Josephus is a valuable addition to any scholarly library, offering readers a deeper understanding of Jewish history and Josephus’s contributions to the field. While not as well-known as his major works, these minor writings provide a compelling and informative read for those interested in ancient history and Jewish studies.
Book Description:
There are 3 parts to this collection.
(1) Against Apion is a two-volume defense of Judaism as classical religion and philosophy, stressing its antiquity, as opposed to what Josephus claimed was the relatively more recent tradition of the Greeks. Some anti-Judean allegations ascribed by Josephus to the Greek writer Apion, and myths accredited to Manetho are also addressed.
(2) Discourse To The Greeks Concerning Hades describes the author’s views on the afterlife against the prevailing view of the “Greeks” (i.e., the Greco-Romans) of his day. Although generally still reprinted in editions of Whiston’s Josephus, later scholars have realized that this attribution is incorrect. This brief discourse, at least in its original form, is now attributed to the church father Hippolytus.
(3) The Life of Josephus is an autobiographical text written by Josephus in approximately 94-99 CE – possibly as an appendix to his Antiquities of the Jews – where the author for the most part re-visits the events of the War, apparently in response to allegations made against him by Justus of Tiberias.
