Excerpt from Complete Works of Josephus, Vol. 1 of 4: Antiquities of the Jews; The Wars of the Jews Against Apion, Etc
The Canonical Books excepted, the writings of Josephus stand alone among the remains of ancient literature. Ancient classical literature has served the most important purposes, but the mighty movements of the world, bringing into operation, as they now do, principles that were unknown to ancient nations, are more and more setting themselves free from the control of axioms that belong to the eras of early civilization. If the Jewish historian does not share the fate of the classic writers - his contemporaries - it is not because his genius was brighter than theirs, or his personal qualities of a higher order, or that his opinions were more sound, or his philosophy more authentic, but because the testimony he furnishes, concerning the institutions and the events with which he was familiar, is of inestimable value in relation to beliefs which can never lose their hold upon the human mind. The writings of Josephus are, therefore, not merely immortal in the sense in which other portions of the literature of antiquity are so, but they include within their compass what is indestructible, connected as it is with the highest welfare of the human family.
For less exalted reasons also, these writings stand distinguished from all other remains of classic literature, and challenge for themselves a regard which is quite peculiar.
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