Edward Schwartz

Destruction: the Rise and the Downfall of Joseph Flavius Edward Schwartz

A young Jewish priest Joseph Ben Mattahias is sent to Rome to fulfill a minor, but impossible, diplomatic mission. After the unexpected success, he returns to Rome again with another, secret, assignment. But from the influence there, he gradually sinks into a life of Roman debauchery. His fortune changes when he returns to Judea and appointed the Governor of Nothern Command, which gives him the first taste of power. Seeking more, he betrays his troops when the war with Rome began, and many Jews are killed. Once captured, Joseph became Vespasian's slave, but buys his freedom with the gold stolen from the Jerusalem Temple. The gold opens Vespasian the way to the throne. Became an emperor, Vespasian adapted Joseph, who discarded his name in favor of Latinized Josephus Flavius. He begins his new life as a Roman historian and tries to redeem his name in history, but remains the most hated Jew in Judea. DESTRUCTION is a tale of war, lust and seeking God's meaning in man's life.