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'I am Josephus...I myself fought against the Romans'
In August of AD 70 the city of Jerusalem was destroyed by Roman forces after a six-month siege. This was the disastrous outcome of a Jewish revolt against Roman domination which began in AD 66 with some early success, but soon became mired in factional conflict. The war ended in the destruction of the famous Jewish Temple (rebuilt by Herod the Great a century before).
The remarkable story of the war is narrated by an eye-witness and participant, Josephus. He was at first a rebel commander, then after his capture, supported Titus in the final assault on Jerusalem. Josephus spares no detail of a horrific conflict - atrocities on both sides, the reign of terror in Jerusalem, the appalling conditions of the siege, and the final mass suicide at Masada. His vivid narrative is our prime source for this period of history. It is a dramatic story, with resonances to the present day.
List of contents
- Introduction
- Select Bibliiography
- Chronology
- Maps
- The Jewish Wars
- Notes
- Index
About the author
Martin Hammond taught Classics at St Paul's School and Harrow School before being appointed Head of Classics at Eton in 1974, and subsequently Master in College. He was Headmaster of the City of London School from 1984-90, and Tonbridge School from 1990-2005.
Summary
In AD 70 the city of Jerusalem was destroyed by Roman forces after a 6 month siege, the world-famous temple burnt to the ground. This was the disastrous outcome of a Jewish revolt against Roman domination beginning in AD 66 with high hopes and early success, but soon became mired in factional conflict, at its most extreme within Jerusalem itself.
Additional text
The great strength of this excellent addition to the Oxford World's Classics series lies in the way that a flowing translation is supported by an introduction, copious notes, maps and a first class expanded index, which enable the readers to find their way through a maze of similar sounding individual, family and place names.
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This paperback is now the best choice for anyone who wishes to read through the most impactful text of western antiquity, outside the Bible, in English... This accessible Josephus will both satisfy and stimulate the considerable interest in this author. Steve Mason, Expository Times
