An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

Josephus

5 books referenced

Books by Josephus

Jewish Antiquities

Referenced in 2 episodes

536. Emperors of Rome: Caligula, Incest and Insanity (Part 3)

February 03, 2025

Context:

Mentioned as a fragmentary source for Caligula and later described as 'the great Judean historian' who 'has quite a detailed account that seems to draw on quite authoritative sources' regarding Caligula's death.

287: Jesus Christ: The Mystery (Part 1)

December 19, 2022

Context:

Described as 'a very, very long account history of the Judeans' written by Josephus, containing references to John the Baptist, Jesus, and James. The famous 'Testimonium Flavianum' passage about Jesus comes from this work

The Jewish War

Referenced in 4 episodes

PAX: War and Peace in Rome’s Golden Age (Extract)

September 18, 2023

Context:

Described as 'one of the supreme works of history to have survived from antiquity' - a detailed narrative account of the Judean revolt written by a Judean who played a significant role in the conflict

287: Jesus Christ: The Mystery (Part 1)

December 19, 2022

Context:

Described as 'an account of the Judean war' written by Josephus after he was captured by the Romans and became a Roman citizen. Key source for understanding first century Judea

177. The Jewish Revolt (Part 3)

April 21, 2022

Context:

Referenced as one of the histories Josephus wrote - 'he writes a history of the war' - describing the Jewish revolt against Rome

175. Crucifixion (Part 1)

April 14, 2022

Context:

Josephus is described as 'the Jewish writer who records the war that destroys Jerusalem' and is cited multiple times for accounts of crucifixion practices during the siege of Jerusalem.

Antiquities of the Jews

Referenced in 1 episode

177. The Jewish Revolt (Part 3)

April 21, 2022

Context:

Referenced as 'He writes a history of the entire history of the Judeans' - one of Josephus's major historical works

The Life of Flavius Josephus

Referenced in 1 episode

177. The Jewish Revolt (Part 3)

April 21, 2022

Context:

Referenced as 'He writes a biography of – an autobiography of himself' - Josephus's autobiographical work

Against Apion

Referenced in 1 episode

177. The Jewish Revolt (Part 3)

April 21, 2022

Context:

Referenced as 'he writes a defense of the Judeans and their god and their practices against a pagan critic' - Josephus's apologetic work