All thinkers

Flavius Josephus: 3 puzzles worth knowing

3 puzzles from Flavius Josephus, each explained in a minute and credited to the original work. Free on Savvy.

• A historian survived a suicide pact by working out where to stand

  During the Jewish–Roman War in 67 AD, the historian Flavius Josephus and 40 companions trapped in a cave reportedly agreed that rather than surrender, they'd stand in a circle and …

  — Flavius Josephus, The Jewish War

• The circle of doom the puzzle's own namesake talked his way out of

  Soldiers stand in a circle. Starting from one person, every second (or kth) person is eliminated as the count goes around, again and again, until only one remains. Where should you…

  — Flavius Josephus, Josephus problem

• 41 men in a circle, kill every third, which two spots survive?

  According to a mathematical retelling of Flavius Josephus's own account, he and 40 fellow soldiers, trapped in a cave by Roman troops in 67 AD, drew lots to kill each other rather …

  — Flavius Josephus, The Jewish War

Five ideas worth knowing, every week

The week's best cards and a puzzle, credited as always. Free, unsubscribe any time.

Subscribe