Josephus (born AD 37/38, died c. AD 100)

In AD 67 he defended Jotapata for 47 days. After its fall he surrendered and, by his own account, foretold that Vespasian and Titus would rule. In AD 69, when Vespasian became emperor, his chain was cut.

At Jerusalem he was Titus’s interpreter and spokesman. Then he settled in Rome under the protection of the Flavians and wrote “The Jewish War” and “Antiquities of the Jews.” His works are the main source on the war of AD 66–⁠74 and on the assassination of Caligula.

Scholars read him with caution: he describes himself favorably and writes for a dynasty to which he owed his life. Yet the archaeology of Masada confirms his account of the siege in its main points.