Bibliography
| Title: Josephus the historian and the man. An analysis of Josephus as an historian of the Jewish war against the Romans Type: Thesis Year: 1990 Abstract: "This study considers the historical reliability of Josephus' account of the Jewish revolt against the Romans (66-70 C.E.) in The Jewish War. Relevant passages from Josephus' other works are also considered. The study begins with a survey and analysis of the scholarship on Josephus as an historian, with an emphasis on the current scene. A proposal is then offered as to the proper method for the investigation of this subject, one which takes into account Josephus' self-stated historiographical standards, as well as internal and external criteria by which to evaluate his effectiveness in meeting these standards. Josephus' concept of historiography is considered against the backdrop of his Greek models, especially Thucydides. Attention is also given to the distinctively Jewish (especially Pharisaic) elements which shaped Josephus' works. An examination of Josephus' account of the revolt follows, with special emphasis on the relationship of his parallel accounts, as well as the role of Rome, the Jewish rebels, the moderate Jewish provisional government, and the Pharisees in the entire nexus of circumstances. A study of these factors indicates that Josephus succeeded in accurately and objectively conveying a complex situation in a way that is coherent to the reader. An evaluation of Josephus' autobiographical information is reserved for the end of the study, since a primary methodological goal is to focus on Josephus' account on its own terms before considering the potential impact of his personal involvement in the events". Keywords: Bellum |