THE WORKS OF FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS, The Learned and Authentic Jewish Historian and Celebrated Warrior. With Three Dissertations, Concerning Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, James the Just, God’s Command to Abraham. [Containing Twenty Books of the Jewish Antiquities, Seven Books of the Jewish War, &c., and The Life of Josephus, Written by Himself and the Book of Apion. [Translated.Together With Explanatory Notes and Observations] by William Whiston

2 volumes. An early printing of the Whiston edition. Engraved frontispiece, folding map of Canaan and Palestine and a folding plan of Jerusalem. 8vo, bound in full contemporary diced calf, the spines in five compartments separated by wide raised bands triple gilt ruled and decorated, two compartments with contrasting red and black morocco lettering labels gilt, the covers ruled in gilt, marbled edges. 635; 652 including appendices and index pp. A handsome and well preserved set with light aging to the bindings which remain in very good order. The textblocks are clean, crisp and unpressed, only occasionally showing any foxing, the plates remain in very good order as well with a bit of the expected usual spotting.

Edizione: a fine early printing of josephus and with a fine life of josephus included. "josephus was a learned jew who lived in the latter half of the first century of our era. at rome he early made a favorable impression on the imperial government. returning to jerusalem, he endeavored to dissuade his countrymen from their intended revolt against roman authority; but, failing in his efforts, he joined the war party. he was made a general, and was entrusted with the defense of galilee; but, after a desperate resistance, was betrayed to the roman commander. long held as a prisoner, he was present at the siege of jerusalem. at the close of the war he went to rome, was presented with the freedom of the city, an annual pension, and a house that had formerly been the residence of an imperial family. the remainder of his life he gave up to literary pursuits" (adams, manual of historical literature, p. 81). his works cover the entire history of the nation to the fall of jerusalem.