MovieChat Forums > The Dovekeepers (2015) Discussion > Question to JEWS Re/Josephus Flavius

Question to JEWS Re/Josephus Flavius

posted 9 years ago by g0b0
4 replies | jump to latest

I'm confused about Josephus Flavius.

I've studied Religious History for more than 25 years (college and post-colliegiate). Up until now, my impression of him was that he was a "Faithful Reporter of the Jewish Experience" i.e. a TRUE and ACCURATE depiction of Life for the typical Jewish Person.

I 'HAD' believed that his accounts were both accurate and somewhat sympathetic to the Jewish Community.

This program alarmed me so I researched Josephus Flavius online: all I found was Wikipedia. It stated that he totally renounced his Jewish faith and subscribed his loyalties to the Roman rule.

That is completely disconcerting to me!

Was he disloyal to fellow Jews? Did he disavow his allegiance to them? If he did, that raises the question of 'How accurate and truthful might his writings be'?

Is it not possible that his writings were 'skewed' in order to 'please' the Roman government?

My question to Jewish scholars is this:
1) What is known about Josephus Flavius?
2) Are his writings considered to be True and Accurate?
3) What is the general impression of Josephus Flavius by the Jewish community?

I am concerned that his writings, which Religious Scholars regard as 'Valid' Historical Data, may in fact, NOT be so accurate after all!
I am suspicious about the 'antiganistic' attitude he displayed in Dove Keepers.

How realistic do you folks find that?

Thanks for your opinions;

I care a great deal about this particular 'slice of history'; it underscores SO MUCH of our mutual histories. We are ALL better for understanding it.

[–] burgarman 9 years ago

what's "antiganistic"?

[–] rickathedj 9 years ago

I am by no means an expert, but I do agree that his writings were probably skewed to some degree. Its rare that history is NOT skewed in one direction or another. The question is how skewed are they? My thought is that Rome gave him a pretty good life, and Rome could take it away if he displeased the powers that be (or were as the case may be.) While some have complained about this movie, it has inspired me to look for his writings online.

[–] angelosdaughter 9 years ago

Flavius Josephus (Joseph ben Mattathias) was a Jewish leader of forces in Galilee who fought against the Romans at Jotapata, and later defected to them, eventually becoming a Roman citizen. He became a historian and apologist for the Romans. I believe the story of Masada is known primarily from his writing of it in 'The Jewish Wars". I have a copy of his histories. I need to read them. He also mentions John the Baptist and Jesus in his writings.
In Jewish history, he is viewed as a traitor, even though he remained in his private life an observant Hellenistic Jew. Married four times, his wives were Jewish. The first one left him, of the second, little is known, he divorced the third, and then married a Greek Jewish woman. The marriage prospered and produced two sons.

I could be a morning person if morning happened at noon.

[–] proudnole 8 years ago

A Jewish military leader who defected to the Romans and became a Roman military leader. Unlike Arnold, though, Josephus penned invaluable works of history following his defection.