Life of Brian

[M. Porcius Cato]

However there is another aspect in the life of Josephus beside that of the writer and that of the military leader, he took the office of supreme commander of the Galilee even thought he wasn't full heatrly supportive of the revolt. and indeed we know base on his own account that he still had connection to the Roman side and no doubt that his actions upon the Roman victory of defecting to the enemy while his men were dead or sold to slavery doesn't speak well on his character.

The command in Galilee was divided between Josephus and the leader of the peasant militia, who had the military sense of a goose. Saddled with this band of rioting fools, Josephus' worst fault was his initial cooperation with the rebels, not his surrender to Roman forces. In the event of the inevitable Roman victory, Josephus was right to surrender and to cooperate with a government that could actually govern the region and bring an end to the anarchy and war fostered by the clueless rebels. In this, Josephus betrayed none of his principles, which were mostly Hellenizing and progressive. Had Josephus died as another martyr, Judaea would have lost its best hope for educating Roman governors about how to avoid past mistakes in needlessly offending Jewish sensibilities. Judaea needed a voice, not a Vercingetorix.

[Pertinax]

Is he recorded as having a big nose himself?

[docoflove1974]

Well, he's a Hebe...a hook nose...100% kosher...or was that just Brian?

[Nephele]

Well, he's a Hebe...a hook nose...100% kosher...or was that just Brian?

 

Huh, it's you Italians who have the legendary Roman noses.

 

As the 19th century poet, F.C. Husenbeth penned (or, rather, punned)...

 

O nose, I am as proud of thee

As any mountain of its snows;

I gaze on thee, and feel that pride

A Roman knows.

 

-- Nephele

[Pertinax]

I can only describe that verse as " terrifying".

[Gaius Paulinus Maximus]

God said unto Moses,

All Jew's shall have round noses,

All except for Hairon,

He shall have a square un'

 

[Ingsoc]

The command in Galilee was divided between Josephus and the leader of the peasant militia, who had the military sense of a goose. Saddled with this band of rioting fools

 

Josephus had supreme command by appointment of the goverment in Jerusalem, the fact that he couldn't assert his authority over his people is an evidence to his poor skills as a commander.

 

Josephus' worst fault was his initial cooperation with the rebels, not his surrender to Roman forces. In the event of the inevitable Roman victory, Josephus was right to surrender and to cooperate with a government that could actually govern the region and bring an end to the anarchy and war fostered by the clueless rebels. In this, Josephus betrayed none of his principles, which were mostly Hellenizing and progressive. Had Josephus died as another martyr, Judaea would have lost its best hope for educating Roman governors about how to avoid past mistakes in needlessly offending Jewish sensibilities. Judaea needed a voice, not a Vercingetorix.

 

Josephus cooperation with the revolt just goes to show you his dubious character, althought he didn't believe that the war could be won he still throw his lots with the rebels due to their initial success against the 12th legion in Beit Horen.

 

My critisism about Josephus defection has nothing to due with politics or principles, I just think that any commader who defect to the enemy while his men lay dead or are enslave is a traitor to the sacrifices and confidence that his men gave in him.