The 1st-century Jewish historian Josephus is considered the most reliable extra-biblical literary source for Caiaphas. His works contain information on the dates for Caiaphas' tenure of the high priesthood, along with reports on other high priests, and also help to establish a coherent description of the responsibilities of the high-priestly office. Josephus ("Antiquitates Judaicae" 18.33–35) relates that Caiaphas became a high priest during a turbulent period. He also states that the proconsul Lucius Vitellius the Elder deposed Caiaphas ("Antiquitates Judaicae" 18.95–97). Josephus' account is based on an older source, in which incumbents of the high priesthood were listed chronologically.