Who is Josephus from The Jewish War and what is their importance?

Josephus is the author of The Jewish Wars. He was born in 37 A.D. and lived until after 93. Josephus was the son of Matthias and born into the priestly family of the early Hasmonaeans. Josephus was educated in a Jerusalem rabbinic school and studied with Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes. He returned at nineteen to Jerusalem as a Pharisee. At twenty-six Josephus traveled and lived in Rome. He returned to Jerusalem in 66 but was considered disloyal by the Jews. A moderate party retook control of Jerusalem and Josephus was appointed commander of the far north region named Galilee. He disliked war and retreated to Jotapata with the rebels when Rome invaded Galilee. Josephus hid in a cave to avoid capture for three days until he was found. Josephus told his captors he had a prophecy to tell the commandeer Vespasian and his son Titus. Josephus prophesied the Roman commander would become emperor to win protection from Nero and eventual freedom. Josephus accompanied them on a campaign to Alexandria, Rome and Jerusalem that infuriated his fellow Jews. He was considered a traitor from his Roman privileges and pleaded with the Jews to avoid armed Roman conflict.