Josephus

Jewish priest, military commander, and historian who witnessed the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD and later wrote under Roman patronage. His two major works — Antiquities of the Jews and The Jewish War — are the most important extra-biblical sources for first-century Judaism and early Christianity. The Testimonium Flavianum, his disputed passage about Jesus, remains one of the earliest non-Christian references to Christ. His writings confirm numerous biblical persons and events, making him indispensable for biblical archaeology and historical research.