Synthesized answer
Josephus strategically appeals to Greek authorities and standards of truth to counter accusations of spite and ignorance against his people [1]. He aims to demonstrate the great antiquity of the Jewish nation by presenting witnesses "esteemed to be of the greatest reputation for truth, and the most skillful in the knowledge of all antiquity by the Greeks themselves" [1]. This approach is vital because it preempts any claim that the Jewish case is based solely on self-serving accounts. By drawing on sources recognized by the Greeks, Josephus seeks to establish the credibility and truthfulness of Jewish history in a way that would be persuasive to a wider, potentially skeptical, audience.
Furthermore, Josephus indicates that many Greek historians have not mentioned his nation, which he intends to address by bringing forth those Greeks who *have* recorded Jewish history [1, 2]. He also plans to show that those who reproach the Jews can be convicted by their own writings [1]. By including Greek authors alongside Egyptian and Phoenician witnesses, Josephus broadens his evidentiary base to convince those who might dismiss Jewish sources and to prevent potential objectors from using the…
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
date, because they are not so much as vouchsafed a bare mention by the most famous historiographers among the Grecians. I therefore have thought myself under an obligation to write somewhat briefly about these subjects, in order to convict those that reproach us of spite and voluntary falsehood, and to correct the ignorance of others, and withal to instruct all those who are desirous of knowing the truth of what great antiquity we really are. As for the witnesses whom I shall produce for the proof of what I say, they shall be such as are esteemed to be of the greatest reputation for…
so happened, that there have not been a great number of Greeks who have made mention of our nation in their histories. I will, however, bring those Grecians to light who have not omitted such our history, for the sake of those that either do not know them, or pretend not to know them already. 2. And now, in the first place, I cannot but greatly wonder at those men, who suppose that we must attend to none but Grecians, when we are inquiring about the most ancient facts, and must inform ourselves of their truth from them only, while we must not believe ourselves nor other men; for I am…
me persons to assist me in learning the Greek tongue, and by these means I composed the history of those transactions. And I was so well assured of the truth of what I related, that I first of all appealed to those that had the supreme command in that war, Vespasian and Titus, as witnesses for me, for to them I presented those books first of all, and after them to many of the Romans who had been in the war. I also sold them to many of our own men who understood the Greek philosophy; among whom were Julius Archelaus, Herod [king of Chalcis], a person of great gravity, and king…
for our silence that I have now alleged, and would produce their neighbor nations as witnesses to their own antiquity? Now the very same thing will I endeavor to do; for I will bring the Egyptians and the Phoenicians as my principal witnesses, because nobody can complain Of their testimony as false, on account that they are known to have borne the greatest ill-will towards us; I mean this as to the Egyptians in general all of them, while of the Phoenicians it is known the Tyrians have been most of all in the same ill disposition towards us: yet do I confess that I cannot say the same…
nd Phoenicians, together with so many of the Greek writers, will be sufficient for the demonstration of our antiquity. Moreover, besides those forementioned, Theophilus, and Theodotus, and Mnaseas, and Aristophanes, and Hermogenes, Euhemerus also, and Conon, and Zopyrion, and perhaps many others, [for I have not lighted upon all the Greek books,] have made distinct mention of us. It is true, many of the men before mentioned have made great mistakes about the true accounts of our nation in the earliest times, because they had not perused our sacred books; yet have they all of them…
More questions about this book
- Josephus outlines his intention to "convict those that reproach us of spite and voluntary falsehood, and to correct the ignorance of others." How do these distinct motivations shape the various argumentative strategies he proposes to employ, and what does this tell us about the different types of opposition he anticipates?
- The core challenge Josephus addresses is the skepticism arising from the "bare mention by the most famous historiographers among the Grecians." How does Josephus plan to navigate this apparent absence of evidence, and what does his approach imply about the nature of historical proof in ancient contexts?
- Josephus asserts that Greek history, including their cities, arts, and laws, is "of yesterday only." How does this specific critique of Greek historical depth function as a counter-argument to those who doubt Jewish antiquity, and what does it reveal about his understanding of historical perspective itself?
- Consider the broader implications of Josephus's mission: what are the potential cultural, political, or even existential consequences for the Jewish nation if he fails to successfully demonstrate their "very great antiquity" to his audience?