::: Really good work; a couple of points however; I do not think 'elision' and interpolation are the same thing (may not be what you meant, but it's how it reads to me).  Secondly, I think you make too much here of the lack of 'original' manuscripts; by which I suppose you meant autographs.  If we had a fifth century manuscript of Josephus (which would be exceptionally fortunate) it would make no difference to the debate on authenticity.