Final answer:
First-century historian Josephus was likely aware of the apocryphal books due to his extensive knowledge of Jewish texts and traditions, despite the lack of direct references to the Apocrypha in his writings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first-century historian Josephus was likely aware of the apocryphal books, as these were part of the broader Jewish literature during that period. This can be inferred, although not explicitly stated, from the way Josephus, Philo, and other Jewish writers of antiquity interacted with their religious and cultural heritage. These books, while not part of the Hebrew Bible, played a role in the religious and cultural identity of Jews in the Second Temple period.Josephus, in his works, does not directly mention the Apocrypha, but his extensive knowledge of Jewish history, customs, and beliefs suggests that he would have been at least aware of these texts. In the historical context, the apocryphal books were part of the Jewish discourse, with some books being more popular and influential than others. Josephus himself was keenly interested in portraying Jewish history and customs to a broader audience, particularly in light of Roman views and attitudes towards Jews, as evidenced in the works of Roman writers such as Tacitus and in the accounts of Philo regarding Jewish life in Rome.In conclusion, while there is no direct evidence that Josephus referenced the apocryphal books, his broad knowledge of Jewish texts and traditions implies that he was aware of their existence and contents.