 In his 1991 book, Steve Mason argued that Josephus was not a Pharisee but an orthodox Aristocrat-Priest who became associated with the philosophical school of the Pharisees as a matter of deference, and not by willing association.The works of Josephus include useful material for historians about individuals, groups, customs, and geographical places.Josephus mentions that in his day there were 240 towns and villages scattered across Upper and Lower Galilee, some of which he names.