Flavius Josephus
Invading the North in 67 CE, Vespasian claimed the major Jewish strongholds of Galilee within a few months, including Jotapata or Yodfat in Hebrew. The Jewish commander, Joseph ben Mattathias, with the Galileans, made a heroic stance, withstanding the Romans for 47 days, but were ultimately overrun by the Roman war machine. Archaeological digs at Jotapata testify to a horrific massacre.
Joseph, with 40 men, escaped and hid in a cave. They reach a consensus together, to take each other's lives rather than be butchered or become slaves to the Romans. Lots were drawn to determine who would kill whom. With two remaining, Joseph breaks his promise and convinces the other man to turn themselves in. In a last resort attempt to save his own life, Joseph sings Vespasian's praises and offers him his skills as a guide and translator, knowing the lay of the land and the Jewish mind. He ultimately accompanies Vespasian in the battle against Jerusalem.
Joseph, better known as Josephus, fully defected to the Roman side and ultimately became the court historian of the emperor in Rome also assuming the emperor's family name Flavius. His most known works are The Jewish War and Antiquities of the Jews.
Overview
Flavius Josephus, born Joseph Ben Matthias, was a historian best known for writing The Jewish War and Antiquities of the Jews.
At the beginning of the Great Jewish Revolt in 66 CE, he was the military leader of Gamla in the Galilee. He surrendered to Roman forces led by Vespasian in 67 CE.
After being captured, Josephus predicted Vespasian would become Emperor. After Vespasian became Emperor in 69 CE, he granted Josephus his freedom, at which time Josephus assumed the emperor's family name of Flavius.
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