The Jewish War

De: Flavius Josephus

Narrado por: Charlton Griffin

In AD 66, nationalist and religious revolutionaries in Judaea led a ferocious revolt of the Jewish people against the authority of mighty Rome, culminating in the greatest upheaval and savagery the world had known up to that time. By the end of the conflict seven years later, over one million Jews had perished and tens of thousands were sold into slavery. Until the Holocaust, it remained the greatest tragedy ever endured by a people.

How had this once prosperous region been laid low, and by what process did its fratricidal feuds take it down a slippery slope to utter annihilation? Fortunately for us, there was an eyewitness to the historical events: Joseph ben Matthias, known to posterity as Flavius Josephus.

In beautifully written and clearly understood prose, Josephus sets out to explain the origin of the conflict. He describes how the fanatical zealots came to dominate the political life of Judaea, illustrates how the Romans were drawn into the fight, and shows how the war was carried on by both sides, ending with the famous siege of the fortress of Masada.

The Jewish War is one of the most important histories to survive from ancient times, dealing as it does with a subject of which there are very few sources. This is an engaging and heartfelt chronicle by an eyewitness who lived through it all.

Public Domain (P)2012 Audio Connoisseur

Classic history contemporary to the events

A classic history written in the 1st Century A.D. This is important to understand as it is different from how history is written today. If it were a modern piece it would probably get a 2-3. Little sourcing, long monologues, limited cross references, etc. So read it as it is.

The first point that caught me was the scope of the book. I thought it was about the Roman Jewish war of 66-70 AD. It starts about 200 years prior to that and carries through to 70 AD. The second point was how hard fought the final war seemed to be. Usually it is presented something like, Jews revolted surprising Rome, some initial limited success, Rome reacted, marched in and crushed Jews, big finale at Masada, the end. Josephus details a bitter conflict, that although Rome was never in serious danger, cost Rome far more in blood and treasure than was expected. (and, of course, the author was a brilliant fellow, almost as brilliant as his benefactors Vespasian and Titus, the winners of the war).

Fascinating history

This is a fascinating and enlightening book that I have wanted to read for years. However, the narrators constant mispronunciation of words made it difficult and frustrating to follow the story. The narrators tone, rhythm, and expression were just perfect. But he just kept mispronouncing word after word after word. Someone should have reviewed his work. He has the potential to be an extremely good narrator for this type of literature. He just needs to get the words pronounced correctly!

Satisfied the need to understand

Satisfied the need to understand what happened in the Post years of Christ. Some sources try to say this is a fraudulent source, but I disagree. I will continue to further my studies

History

Real nice piece of history and how ancient world looked like through the eyes of historian Josephus Flavius.

great buy

I loved this Book & the accuracy. I would reccomend this book for all types of readers.

Fantastic work by Audible, but I’m convinced Josephus sold out his city and his people to the Romans

While I am very very glad this work of history survived, and while it was incredibly fun to listen to, Josephus is my new favorite person to hate. I won’t spoil anything, but I very much doubt that much of what he said about how he survived and fell into the hands of the Romans is true.

Jewish wars

Narrator needs to go to Sunday school and learn how to pronounce Jewish and Roman names. Otherwise, ok.

An amazing look back into the ancient past.

beautifully narrated. I highly recommend. If you "get into it" it almost makes you feel as though you are there.

Jews still fight among themselves

I learned the Jewish revolt was not so much A Roman issue as a a civil issues among the Jews. It was horrible what the Romans did however. So many killed.

Amazing!

Years ago, I read the Penguin Classic Edition of, "The Jewish War." This professional reading edition is NOT the Penguin Classic Edition. Nevertheless, it is very good and Charlton Griffin is excellent. Still, it is a different translation from the PCE. In the PCE, the translator uses the word, "slander." Here, in this translation, the translator, instead of slander, the translator uses the word, "calumny." This is just one example. There are many differences. When reading translated books, it is always beneficial to read two different translations. I discovered this with Dostoevsky's books, reading the Constance Garnett translations and then also the Peaver and Volonkonsky translations. Anyway, upon reading any translation of "The Jewish War" you will be very grateful that you did not live (unless reincarnation is real) back during this time. There are so many horrible things that happen in this book. In one place, John and his fellow zealots dress up like women and have sex with men and also cut the men's throats! Another place, a woman murders her child and then roast the child and eats half of her child! This book is just insane!! Scholars say that it is impossible for all of this to be true especially the dialogues and monologues because it was impossible for Josephus to be present during some of these. Regardless, at the end of the book, Josephus professes his honesty in his writing of JW. Also, there is one place where Jesus is mention. Of course, this cannot be the Christian Jesus because this was writing 90 years after Christ. Nevertheless, I think that you, the reader, will find some similarities between the Jesus herein and the Christ Jesus. Also, there is one passage where Titus (son of Vespasian) crucifies 500 Jews outside the walls of Jerusalem. Insane!!!