Against Apion (eBook)

Flavius Josephus, born Yosef ben Matityahu, was a first-century Romano-Jewish historian who is most renowned for his works that provide a valuable lens into Jewish history and the context of the early Roman Empire. Born into a priestly family in Jerusalem in 37 CE, Josephus was well-educated, embarking upon a path that led to his pivotal role as a historian and apologist of the Jewish people and culture. His historical accounts are divided into major works including 'The Jewish War' (c. 75 CE), which details the Jewish revolt against Roman occupation, and 'Antiquities of the Jews' (c. 94 CE), a comprehensive history of the Jewish people from Creation to the outbreak of the revolt in 66 CE. His treatise 'Against Apion' defends Judaism against anti-Semitic attacks by the Hellenistic grammatician Apion, and is known for its insight into Josephus's thoughts on Jewish religion and philosophy. Josephus's writings are characterized by their descriptive detail, embellishment of historical events, and attempts to explain and justify Jewish life and religion to a non-Jewish audience. This style has prompted a wealth of scholarship on his work, cementing his legacy as a crucial figure for understanding the intertestamental and early Christian periods (Mason, 2001).