A happier fate has preserved the works of another Jewish historian of the same period, Flavius Josephus (38 to 95 C.E.), the literary and political opponent of Justus.

He wrote three histories: "Antiquities of the Jews"; an "Autobiography"; "The Wars of the Jews"; together with a reply to the attacks of an Alexandrian critic of Judaism, "Against Apion." The character of Josephus has been variously estimated.

Some regard him as a patriot, who yielded to Rome only when convinced that Jewish destiny required such submission.

But the most probable view of his career is as follows.

Josephus was a man of taste and learning.