This publication seeks to explore a neglected area of Josephan studies, namely his attitude towards magic and magicians. Of particular importance is the terminology which he applies to a wide range of ‘magical’ figures. It is through an analysis of this magical terminology, as well as by observing the wider contexts of his magical episodes, that we may begin to approach Josephus’ understanding of magic in his Roman/Jewish culture(s). Specific cases include the episode of Moses and the Egyptian magicians, given in Josephus’ biblical paraphrase the Jewish Antiquities, as well as Josephus’ handling of the ‘sorcerers’ (Greek: goetes) who plagued Judea in the era leading up to the revolt against Rome (66-70 CE). Through analysing such cases it becomes clear that Josephus was able to not only handle distinct magical terms with great care and subtlety, but also to describe both positive and negative forms of magic to his Roman audience.