JOSEPHUS, Flavius [c. 37-c. 100 A.D.].

De Antiquitatibus ac de bello Judaico.

      Colophon: Venice: Albertinus Vercellensis for Octavianus Scotus, October 23, 1499. - Folio (30 x 20 cm). 2 parts in 1. Ff. [14]table, 181, [1]blank, 182-260, [1]register. 276 leaves. a8, b6, A-Y8, Z6, AA-KK8. 60 lines. Printed in Roman type, with numerous large and small woodcut initials. Bound in early vellum with ink lettered spin e and three double raised bands, rejointed with old repairs to spine. Light dampstaining to inner margin of preliminary leaves, a little marginal foxing and browning, especially to opening and closing leaves, extensive though relatively minor wormin g throughout, sometimes affecting letterpress, but not generally impairing legibility, 1" closed tear to f. A, occasional marginal notes in an early hand, but on the whole a nice clean copy. A reprint of the Johannes Rubeus Vercellensis edition of 1486, employing the Latin text attributed to Rufinus Aquileiensis, first published by Johann Schussler in Augburg, 1470. This edition contains the two principal works of Josephus, "Antiquities of the Jews" and "The Jewish War". The former trac es the history of the Jews from Creation to the beginning of the Jewish revolt in 66 A.D. Its purpose was to glorify the Jewish nation in Roman eyes. It contains one of the few extra-biblical accounts of John the Baptist and Jesus, which may account for the fact that Josephus' writings were preserved from oblivion by the Christians. The second work (actually written first), "The Jewish War", is an eye-witness account of the Jewish insurrection against Rome which culminated in the destructi on of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. As governor of Galilee, Josephus joined the revolt and fought against the forces of Vespasian during the siege of Jotapata in 67 A.D. After his capture, Josephus ingratiated himself with the Roman general by predicting he would soon be emperor. When Vespasian did become emperor two years later, he granted Josephus full Roman citizenship and a pension. In his subsequent account of events of the Jewish revolt, Josephus was careful to explain the Jewish cause in such a way as to not offend the sensitivities of his Roman benefactors -- thereby compromising his credibility in the eyes of his critics. Nevertheless, his writings remain an indispensable record of the period. Hain-Copinger 9455. Goff J-487. Proctor 5148.