I think that's the way to go, though. I read the account of Josephus on the Siege of Masada. Long winded, lofty words. It was kind of dull. Take note the leader of the resistance was Eleazar. Josephus really doesn't describe him at all. Modern interpreters collect from many sources and package it all into one bundle. Watching a history channel documentary I got the bio of Josephus, Eleazar, Silva, with Josphuses' story and doubts on certain aspects of it. I am also using the backward technique.