The Life of Herod by Josephus. Folio Society Book. Extract from
The Life of Herod by Josephus. Folio Society Book. Extract from
This translation from Greek of the Life of Herod by Josephus, was first published in 1998, with this wonderful Folio Society edition published in 2007. It has an authoritative introduction by Martin Goodman Professor of Jewish Studies; Fellow of Wolfson College; Director of Research, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford.
The text is an extract from Josephus’ Jewish Antiquities, one of the greatest of all Jewish histories, the Life of Herod is a remarkable work in itself, an extraordinarily vivid and masterly portrait of an iconic figure of the ancient world.
This Folio edition features an extensive and illuminating appendix by the modern authority Menahem Stern, which provides a lucid overview of Herod’s reign, tracing the religious and political tensions that would be written into the biblical portrait of the tyrant.
Josephus, a Jewish historian writing in the 1st century AD, provides fascinating answers in one of the most compelling biographies from antiquity. His Life of Herod reveals a character capable of savage cruelty but also of remarkable generosity and vision.
Installed by Mark Antony as the client-ruler of Judaea in 40 BC, Herod brought stability and prosperity to his kingdom. He won renown throughout the classical world for his enlightened programme of public works, including the Temple in Jerusalem, and for his cunning in outwitting Cleopatra of Egypt. But beneath this civilised veneer, Herod ruled by fear. While his secret police and torturers stamped out popular dissent, his pathological delusions of conspiracy and intrigue prompted him to execute three of his children on trumped-up treason charges – making him a byword for cruelty, even in Rome.
A lovely Folio book, it is covered in black cloth with gold detail. The endpapers are photographs of the boundary wall of Herod#39;s Second temple in Jerusalem, built 20-10BC #39;No outsider shall enter the protective enclosure are the sanctuary. And whoever is caught will only have himself to blame for the ensuing death.#39; The book also includes maps, plans, other photos and colour plates.
Both book and slipcase are in great condition. The book is fine and does not look read.
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