The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/josephus-flavius/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:30:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Josephus Flavius | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/josephus-flavius/ 32 32 Masada legend upended: ‘The Romans came, saw and conquered, quickly and brutally’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/masada-legend-upended-the-romans-came-saw-and-conquered-quickly-and-brutally/ Thu, 05 Sep 2024 22:05:06 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3369455 The costly Roman operation was likely undertaken only after Masada-based Jewish forces raided nearby Ein Gedi and disrupted production of balsam, a precious commodity, TAU prof says

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]]> Proving Josephus: Research on Roman ballistics confirms Second Temple battle account https://www.timesofisrael.com/proving-josephus-research-on-roman-ballistics-confirms-second-temple-battle-account/ Sun, 07 Aug 2022 08:26:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2813437 Computer calculations of 70 CE Roman arsenal uncovered in excavations in Jerusalem demonstrate veracity of Jewish historian Josephus's report of intense fighting near Third Wall

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]]> Plant used in ‘Cleopatra’s scent,’ Temple rite found on ancient Jerusalem seal https://www.timesofisrael.com/plant-for-cleopatras-scent-and-temple-rite-found-on-ancient-jerusalem-seal/ Thu, 21 Oct 2021 08:21:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2635910 2,000-year-old amethyst stone discovered in excavations near Western Wall, is believed to be engraved with image of biblical persimmon used for fragrance and Second Temple incense

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]]> Inspired by an ancient tomb, a Jewish love story puts the Roman in bildungsroman https://www.timesofisrael.com/inspired-by-an-ancient-tomb-a-jewish-love-story-puts-the-roman-in-bildungsroman/ Wed, 17 Feb 2021 13:18:56 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2484468 Lori Kaufmann's debut 'Rebel Daughter' brings serious research to a tale of family and survival, from Jerusalem to southern Italy

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]]> Maybe there was no mass suicide at Masada? Top archaeologist questions a legend https://www.timesofisrael.com/maybe-there-was-no-mass-suicide-at-masada-top-archaeologist-questions-a-legend/ Fri, 04 Oct 2019 10:07:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2159556 Prof. Jodi Magness busts myths and asks unanswerable questions in new book about Masada -- the site of the largest Jewish wholesale self-slaughter that maybe never was

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]]> New skeletal evidence could put decades-old debate over Qumran settlers to rest https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-skeletal-evidence-could-put-decades-old-debate-over-qumran-settlers-to-rest/ Sun, 19 Nov 2017 22:37:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1733224 Archaeologists' study appears to confirm theory rooted in ancient texts that the Essenes, a strictly socialist Jewish sect, settled the area some 2,200 years ago

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]]> Ancient war for Jerusalem echoes as stones and arrowheads uncovered https://www.timesofisrael.com/ancient-war-for-jerusalem-echoes-as-stones-and-arrowheads-uncovered/ Thu, 25 May 2017 18:38:59 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1627057 New findings on ancient street confirm 1st century historian‘s account of Roman routing of Jewish rebels in 70 CE

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]]> Archaeologists get set to dig at Masada, after 11-year hiatus https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-get-set-to-dig-at-masada-after-11-year-hiatus/ Sun, 05 Feb 2017 06:02:17 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1548554 Tel Aviv University team will excavate rebel dwellings, Herod's gardens in month-long expedition at UNESCO heritage site

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]]> How math may have saved an ancient Jewish historian https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-math-may-have-saved-an-ancient-jewish-historian/ Sat, 19 Nov 2016 12:38:57 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1502513 In YouTube video, mathematician Daniel Erman from the University of Wisconsin-Madison explains how to solve the Josephus problem. Your life could depend on it

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]]> Archaeologists find battle site where Romans breached Jerusalem walls https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-find-battle-site-where-romans-breached-jerusalem-walls/ Thu, 20 Oct 2016 14:02:43 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1483107 Discovery confirms Josephus's account of the conflict that saw destruction of Second Temple nearly 2,000 years ago, says Israeli Antiquities Authority

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]]> For a fine cup of coffee and organic wine, head north https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-a-fine-cup-of-coffee-and-organic-wine-head-north/ Sat, 02 Apr 2016 06:46:17 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1366745 From freshly brewed java at Zichron's Kilimanjaro Coffee to a light red Nebbiolo at Lotem, the Lower Galilee is where it's at

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]]> Luxury complex threatens ancient site on Jerusalem’s Hill of Evil Counsel https://www.timesofisrael.com/luxury-complex-threatens-ancient-site-on-jerusalems-hill-of-evil-counsel/ Mon, 14 Mar 2016 08:35:41 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1345024 Plan to build hotel, high-end apartments on one of last remaining unspoiled ridges surrounding Old City is opposed by residents, archaeologists

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]]> Ancient Temple Mount ‘warning’ stone is ‘closest thing we have to the Temple’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/ancient-temple-mount-warning-stone-is-closest-thing-we-have-to-the-temple/ Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:22:36 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1268380 Carved in bold Greek letters, 2,000-year-old Herodian inscription marked off the section of Jerusalem's most sacred site where gentiles couldn't go -- and shows they were welcome elsewhere in holy area

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]]> Israel’s Masada myth: doubts cast over symbol of heroism and sacrifice http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/22/israel-masada-myth-doubts Mon, 23 Sep 2013 02:18:52 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=684106 The Guardian reexamines historicity of mass suicide at Dead Sea fortress in 73 CE, a founding tale for the modern state

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]]> Herod’s mountain hideaway https://www.timesofisrael.com/herods-mountain-hideaway/ Sat, 07 Sep 2013 08:25:23 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=646788 At Herodian National Park, visitors can enter the labyrinth where this wild king built a summer palace to commemorate a battle he would never forget

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