> The business in the cavern, however, I believe. But not because he
> thought of himself as a prophet. Because he was a weasel.
>
> I'm sure none of the Flavians cared about the accuracy of Josephus's
> scribblings, so long as there was nothing in there negative about
> them.
Then why did the Flavians bestow all these honors on him?
Here is an idea that occurred to me today about what happened. I find it
difficult to believe that he was brought to Vespasianus, told him he will
be
whatever, and V. said "wow, let's keep him alive and see if he's right."
Josephus describes how he helped the Romans try to convince the
Jerusalemites to surrender, by shouting from below the city walls. I
believe
he may have told V.:"Yes, I am one of the rebel leaders and an im****tant
one. Galilee is small change compared to Jerusalem. If you keep me alive I
will be able to convince the other rebel leaders in Jerusalem that they
are
better off surrendering, based on how well you treated me, and you will
save
yourself the fight." The Flavians rewarded him for services rendered. And
yes, he could get away with total hogwash - V. knew some Jew prophesized
his
ascent to power, he could not care less which Jew it was, Josephus or
Rabbi
Yochanan Ben Zakai.
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