pagan audience, the Baptist is transformed into a popular moral philosopher of Stoic hue, with a somewhat neo-Pythagorean rite of lustration. Yet, as we shall see, Josephus is probably more reliable than Mark when it comes to the story of John’s execution. For now, however, we are interested in Josephus’ account simply for its affirmation of the Baptist’s existence and the broad outline of his ministry and death. Even apart from Josephus, the Gospels themselves would give good grounds for affirming