The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130 · External witness
Justus of Tiberias
fl. late 1st century (death unrecorded) · Jewish historian · Rival of Josephus · Tiberias, Galilee
External witness
Who Justus of Tiberias was
Secretary to Agrippa II and historian of the Jewish kings and the war — Josephus's bitter rival, who told the story differently and was called a liar for it in Josephus's autobiography. Eusebius and Jerome both catalogue him; Photius, who still had his chronicle centuries later, noted with surprise that it never mentioned Christ at all.
Also listed in non-christian witnesses.
Common questions
When was Justus active?
Justus of Tiberias is dated fl. late 1st century (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Justus in the Apostolic Fathers (AD 70–130).
What did Justus write?
Justus of Tiberias has 1 catalogued writing in the archive: A Chronicle of the Jewish Kings. All are lost, known only from later citation.
Which early sources mention Justus?
Justus of Tiberias is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Eusebius of Caesarea and Jerome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Justus from?
The archive associates Justus of Tiberias with Tiberias, Galilee. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Writings (1)
A Chronicle of the Jewish Kings
Lost history from Moses to Agrippa II; Photius still read it in the ninth centuryHis history begins with Moses and ends with the death of Agrippa; he makes no mention whatever of Christ. (Photius, Bibliotheca 33)Lost — known only from later citation.
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Ecclesiastical History III.10
c. AD 325Justus of Tiberias likewise attempted to write a history of contemporary events, but Josephus convicts him of falsehood.Eusebius of Caesarea · III.10 · source text
On Illustrious Men 14
c. AD 393Justus of Tiberias, of the province Galilee, also attempted to write a History of Jewish affairs and certain brief commentaries on the scriptures.Jerome · 14 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
- AD 70 · The fall of Jerusalem, AD 70
- AD 95 · Domitian’s reprisals, AD 95
- AD 96 · Rome writes to Corinth: 1 Clement, AD 96
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Justus.
- 1Galileeprovince only