דרכו של יוספוס בתיאור קדמוניות היהודים

The aim of this article is to set forth the method of Josephus in describing the antiquities of his people, to indicate the nature of this method by comparison with other Palestinian and Hellenistic Haggadists, and to determine the extent of his originality. Josephus attempts to gain the interest of the Greek public and to explain to it the value of Judaism (i.e. the fidelity of the Jewish tradition, the significance of our great men, and the substance of the Law). He employs the methods used by the great Greek historians (especially Dionysius of Halykarnassos) and also follows the Jewish authors who preceded him (especially as regards the objects of the precepts). He deviates from both, however, (as in the case of the allegorical method) when their methods do not suit the character or purpose of his work.