ASSIGNMENT
Read Books 2-3 (Penguin Classics pgs. 120-233)
Refer to the timeline of events to keep track of them.
OTHER VALUABLE RESOURCES
Chronology and biography of Roman procurators of Judea A.D. 6-70
STUDY QUESTIONS
Book 2
- Chap. 3, sec. 1 (PC 124) and Chap. 4, secs. 1-3 (PC 126): What problems did Varus (procurator of Syria) have from Sabinus (his general) on the one hand and from the Jews on the other?
- Chap. 6, sec. 3 (PC 129-130): How did Augustus divide up Herod's kingdom?
- Chap. 7, sect. 3 (PC 131): How did Archelaus conduct himself? To where was he banished?
- Chap. 8 (PC 133-138): How does Josephus characterize the Essenes overall? What is their view of taking oaths? Of keeping the Sabbath? Of admitting new members? Of the state of the soul after death?
- Chap. 9, sec. 1 (PC 138): When does Josephus consider Augustus's reign to have begun?
Reign of Tiberius begins
- Chap. 9, secs. 2 and 4 (PC 138-139): It is during the time described in this Chapter that Jesus lived. What two things did Pilate do that angered the Jews? Read this brief article on Pilate.
Reign of Gaius (Caligula) begins
- Chap. 9 (PC 139): Why was Herod Antipas (Herod the tetrarch) banished, and to where?
- Chap. 10 (PC 140-141): What predicament did Petronius find himself in, and how was it finally resolved?
Reign of Claudius
Reign of Nero begins
- Chap. 14, sec. 2 (PC 149): What was Florus's character?
- Chap. 14, sec. 3 (PC 150): Why did Florus wish to incite the Jews to rebellion? (see also Chap. 15, sec. 3, PC 153)
- Chap. 14, sec. 4 (PC 150): In what year did the Jewish War begin?
- Chap. 16, sec. 4 (PC 156-162): Agrippa's Speech. What arguments does Agrippa use to try to dissuade the Jews from rebelling against the Romans? (I.e., why does he reject their claim that they wish to recover their liberty? why is it foolish to fight the Romans? why does he reject their claim that Providence is on their side?)
- Chap. 17, sec. 2 (PC 164): What does Josephus say was the true beginning of the war (what made it inevitable), and why?
- Chap. 19, sec. 6-7 (PC 176-177): Why did Cestius withdraw his siege just when he had almost taken the city? (compare Chap. 20, sec. 1, PC 179 with Matt. 24:15-16) Consider also the awful later consequences of Cestius's premature withdrawal from the siege in Book 3, chap. 7, sec. 1 (PC 199).
- Chap. 20, sec. 5-8 (PC 180-181): What kind of general was Josephus?
- Chap 21, sec. 1 (PC 181-182): What was the character of John of Gischala?
Book 3
- Chap. 1 (PC 189): How did Vespasian enter the war?
- Chap. 5 (PC 194-197): What does Josephus say is the reason for his description of the Roman military?
- Chap. 7, sec. 3 (PC 200): Why did Vespasian want to take Jotapata?
- Chap. 7, secs. 10, 13, 14, 20, 28, etc. (PC 203-211): How did Josephus demonstrate his skillfulness as a general?
- Chap. 7, sec. 33 (PC 214-215): How was the city finally taken by the Romans?
- Chap. 8, sec. 1-8 (PC 216-220): How did Josephus escape having to commit suicide with the other Jews?
- Chap. 8, sec. 9 (PC 221): What did he say to Vespasian that kept Vespasian from sending him to Nero?
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