Jesus (son of Shaphat)

Also known as: Jesus · Family: Jewish · Role: leader of a band of robbers · First appears: Book III, Chapter 9

In Book III, Chapter 9, Jesus is identified as the son of Shaphat and as “the principal head of a band of robbers.” At Tiberias, his faction attacked Valerian’s delegation, drove Valerian away on foot, and led the abandoned horses into the city. When Vespasian and Agrippa accepted security, Jesus and his party fled Tiberias for Taricheae.

In Chapter 10, Jesus and his party attacked Roman wall-builders, destroyed the work they had begun, and withdrew when armed Romans regrouped. When Titus entered Taricheae, some of those around Jesus fled over the country, while others ran to the lake and were killed as they tried to reach or overtake the ships.