Antiquities of the Jews

Antiquities of the Jews is a historical work by Flavius Josephus, first published around 93–94 AD. Written in twenty books, it offers a sweeping account of Jewish history from the creation of the world to the outbreak of the Jewish revolt against Rome in the first century AD. Josephus set out to present the history, laws, and traditions of the Jewish people to a Greco-Roman audience, grounding biblical narratives within the framework of classical historiography.

The work opens with a retelling of events from the Hebrew Bible, including the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Solomon, presenting them as historical figures rather than purely religious ones. Josephus expands on familiar biblical episodes with additional detail, commentary, and interpretation, often clarifying customs, laws, and genealogies for readers unfamiliar with Jewish tradition.

In its later books, the narrative moves beyond biblical history into the Hellenistic and Roman periods, chronicling the Hasmonean and Herodian dynasties and culminating in the political tensions that shaped Judea under Roman rule. Figures such as Herod the Great, Pontius Pilate, and John the Baptist appear, making the work an essential source for understanding the historical background of the ancient Mediterranean world.

As a companion to Josephus’s account of the Jewish revolt, this monumental history remains one of the most important surviving sources for ancient Jewish history. Combining theology, politics, and cultural history, it continues to be invaluable for readers interested in biblical studies, classical history, and the ancient world.

This translation by William Whiston was first published in 1737.