Josephus on Women

A meaningful division of Flavius Josephus's treatment of women turns out to be rather chronological. In his Jewish Antiquities 1-11, Josephus retells the biblical stories and often refers to the women mentioned therein. In both his Jewish Antiquities Books 12-20 and in his Jewish War Books 1-2, Josephus relates the events of the Second Temple period, from the conquest of Palestine by Alexander the Great, down to outbreak of the war against Rome in 66 C.E. The chapter provides fresh readings of key female figures in Jewish history from the biblical period to the Hasmonean and Herodian rulers as well as important women of Josephus's own day. In his Jewish War Books 2-7, as well as his Life, Josephus relates events to which he was an eyewitness. With the women mentioned in these texts, Josephus was often personally acquainted.