Flavius Josephus, born Yosef ben Matityahu, was a first-century Romano-Jewish scholar, historian, and hagiographer who was born in Jerusalemâthen part of Roman Judeaâto a father of priestly descent and a mother who claimed royal ancestry. His works provide valuable insight into first-century Judaism and the background of Early Christianity. Josephus was a man of complex identity, being a Jewish commander in the First JewishâRoman War before he was captured by the Romans led by Vespasian. Upon his capture, Josephus switched sides and became a Roman citizen, taking on the Flavian family name as an emblem of his new loyalty. As a historian, Josephus is best known for 'The Jewish War' (c. 75 AD), which provides a detailed account of the Jewish revolt against Roman occupation, and for 'Antiquities of the Jews' (c. 94 AD), where he recounts the history of the world from a Jewish perspective for an ostensibly Roman audience. In his autobiography, 'The Life of Flavius Josephus', he defends his conduct during the Jewish revolt, emphasizing his loyalty to both Judaism and the Roman empire. This work, although self-apologetic, is invaluable for understanding Josephus's own perspective on his life and times. His works are crucial sources of historical data, and his literary style combines rhetorical historical narrative and apologetic elements, reflecting the complexities of his cultural and political positioning.