Josephus’s 20 volume history of the Jews titled: The Antiquities of the Jews was written to provide an account of the Jewish people for his Roman patrons and protectors.

Below is a synopsis of the 20 volumes:

• Biblical creation to the death of Abraham’s son Isaac
• History of Isaac’s sons to the Exodus of Jews from Biblical Egypt
• Exodus from Egypt to the first 2 years of the 40 years in the wilderness
• The remaining 38 years in the wilderness to the death of Moses upon reaching Canaan
• Joshua’s replacement of Moses as leader to the death of the priest Eli
• The capture of the Ark by the Philistines to the death of King Saul
• David’s ascension to the throne of the Kingdom of Israel to the death of King David
• Solomon’s ascension as King of Israel to the death of King Ahab
• Reign of King Jehoshaphat to the fall of Samaria
• Babylonian captivity of the Jews and the destruction of the Neo-Assyrian Empire
• Start of the Persian Empire of Cyrus the Great to the death of Alexander the Great
• Death of Alexander the Great to the Maccabean Revolt
• Origins of the Hasmonean dynasty to the death of Queen Alexandra
• The death of Queen Alexandra to the death of Antigonus II Mattathias
• Herod the Great’s taking of Jerusalem to the completion of King Herod’s temple
• Completion of King Herod’s temple to the death of Herod’s sons
• Death of Herod’s sons to the banishment of King Archelaus

Josephus history covers major portions of the Old Testament including Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel 1&2, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, and Prophets. Josephus’s accounts provide for additional material and commentary not found in other texts including the bible.

Source: Josephus: The Complete Works, 2003. Jewish Virtual Library. World History Encyclopedia. Graphic Joseph, Son of Gorian, by Thomas Emmet, 1880, public domain.