Flavius Josephus was born as Yosef ben Matityahu. He was a Jerusalem-born scholar who was captured by the Romans but was kept alive after convincing the emperor that he was a prophet.
He gave the soon-to-be emperor a prophecy that came true earning his trust and support. Yosef ben Matityahu changed his name to a Roman style (Titus Flavius Josephus) and firmly assimilated into Roman culture advocating on their behalf. He believed that Romans were merciful and “chosen by God”. Flavius asserted that “the Jewish were being punished” and tried to convince others as such by citing God saying God had chosen him to reveal these statements.