Synthesized answer
Josephus plans to address the skepticism arising from the limited mention of his nation by Greek historiographers by bringing to light those Greeks who *did* record their history [1]. He intends to prove the antiquity of his people by producing witnesses esteemed by the Greeks themselves for their truthfulness and knowledge of antiquity [2]. He also aims to demonstrate that some Greek writers wrote reproachfully and falsely about his people, and that their own writings can convict them [2].
Josephus's approach implies that historical proof in ancient contexts involved relying on credible witnesses and potentially exposing contradictions within existing accounts. He also suggests that the absence of mention does not automatically equate to a lack of antiquity, attributing it to factors like remoteness, peculiar customs, envy, or other unjustifiable reasons [4, 5]. He intends to use other nations, specifically the Egyptians and Phoenicians, as principal witnesses to his people's antiquity [3]. The passages do not explicitly detail what Josephus believes historical proof *should* be, beyond the reliance on witnesses and evidence, but they highlight his intent to counter a reliance…
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
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…
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…
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…
supposed the Spaniards, who inhabit so great a part of the western regions of the earth, to be no more than one city. Those historians also have ventured to describe such customs as were made use of by them, which they never had either done or said; and the reason why these writers did not know the truth of their affairs was this, that they had not any commerce together; but the reason why they wrote such falsities was this, that they had a mind to appear to know things which others had not known. How can it then be any wonder, if our nation was no more known to many of the Greeks,…
observation of their laws, and their religion towards God, before the preservation of themselves and their country. 23. Now that some writers have omitted to mention our nation, not because they knew nothing of us, but because they envied us, or for some other unjustifiable reasons, I think I can demonstrate by particular instances; for Hieronymus, who wrote the History of Alexander's Successors, lived at the same time with Hecateus, and was a friend of king Antigonus, and president of Syria. Now it is plain that Hecateus wrote an entire book concerning us, while Hieronymus never…
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?
- Josephus promises to bring forth "witnesses... esteemed to be of the greatest reputation for truth... by the Greeks themselves." Why is it strategically vital for him to appeal to Greek authorities and standards of truth, rather than exclusively Jewish sources, when making his case for Jewish antiquity?
- 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?