Auction 109 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Megillot and Jewish Ceremonial Art
The Jewish War, by Flavius Josephus – Lyon, 1539
Opening: $400
Sold for: $1,188
Including buyer's premium
The Jewish War, De bello Iudaico libri septem, by Flavius Josephus. Lyon: Sebastian Gryphius, 1539. Latin.
The Jewish War, in Latin translation. Volume III of the complete works of Josephus, with printer's device of Gryphius – a griffon with the body, tail and hind legs of a lion, and head and wings of an eagle, a play on the printer's name.
The Jewish War (De Bello Judaico) was evidently authored in Aramaic between 75 and 79 CE (no original Aramaic manuscript survives, but Josephus himself supervised the received Greek version). This work recounts the history of the Roman conquest of Judea in the first century CE. The core of the book describes the Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire that took place in the years 66-70, including a description of the destruction of Jerusalem and the burning of the Temple.
The work is based on Josephus' firsthand experience as commander of the Jewish forces of the Galilee and his capture by the Romans. The work's tone is apologetic, aiming both to reconcile the Empire with the Jews and to prevent a further Jewish rebellion. Apart from the information on the Jewish-Roman war, Roman army tactics and the like, this work is of singular importance as a primary source for first-century Judaism. The Latin translation of the work is ascribed to Rufinus of Aquileia (344/345-411 CE).
582 pages, [9] leaves. 18 cm. Good condition. Stains. Light wear and stains. Puncture to title page. Ink inscriptions on several pages. Parchment binding.
Provenance: Collection of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Early Printed Books – 16th-17th Centuries
Early Printed Books – 16th-17th Centuries