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Philo of Alexandria: On the Contemplative Life
Introduction, Translation and Commentary
Series: - Philo of Alexandria Commentary Series, Volume: 7
On the Contemplative Life is known for its depiction of a philosophical group of Jewish men and women known as the âTherapeutaeâ. Yet the reasons for their depiction have been little understood. In the first commentary on the treatise in English for over 100 years, the social, cultural and political background of the times in which Philo lived are shown to be crucial in understanding Philoâs purposes. As Alexandrian Jews were vilified and attacked, Philo went to Rome to present the case for his community, faced with intense opposition. Side-stepping direct confrontation, Philo here cleverly presents the Therapeutae as the pinnacle of excellence, most especially in their communal meal, while ridiculing his accusers in a stinging parody of a festive banquet.
Joan E. Taylor, Ph. D. (1990), is Professor of Christian Origins and Second Temple Judaism at Kingâs College London. Among many books and articles, she is author of The Essenes, the Scrolls and the Dead Sea (OUP, 2013).
David M. Hay, Ph. D. (1965), was Joseph E. McCabe Professor of Religion at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He authored and edited many works, especially on Paul and Philo, and was a founding member of the Studia Philonica Annual.
David M. Hay, Ph. D. (1965), was Joseph E. McCabe Professor of Religion at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He authored and edited many works, especially on Paul and Philo, and was a founding member of the Studia Philonica Annual.
"Taylor's commentary is eminently readable and demonstrates her skill as a historico-philological exegete. She has a keen eye for Philoâs rhetorical strategies and makes him come alive as a spirited defender of Judaism and the Jewish people (....) This is without doubt the best commentary ever written on this text. (...) I unreservedly recommend Taylorâs book to both classical and Judaic scholars for use as a good guide to De vita contemplativa." - Pieter van der Horst, in BMCR 2021
"Die Kommentierung lässt in beiden Bänden an Ausführlichkeit, Detailliertheit und Breite der herangezogenen Quellen, Gedanken und historischen Hintergründe kaum etwas zu wünschen übrig, kann aber in einer Rezension nicht sinnvoll gewürdigt werden. Leser und Nutzer werden sie [...] dankbar und hoffentlich häufig zur Kenntnis nehmen." - Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr, Markkleeberg, in: Theologische Literaturzietung 149 (2024) 10
"Die Kommentierung lässt in beiden Bänden an Ausführlichkeit, Detailliertheit und Breite der herangezogenen Quellen, Gedanken und historischen Hintergründe kaum etwas zu wünschen übrig, kann aber in einer Rezension nicht sinnvoll gewürdigt werden. Leser und Nutzer werden sie [...] dankbar und hoffentlich häufig zur Kenntnis nehmen." - Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr, Markkleeberg, in: Theologische Literaturzietung 149 (2024) 10
General Introduction to the Philo of Alexandria Commentary Series
âGregory E. Sterling
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
List of Figures
Introduction
â1âPhilo and the Context of the Treatise
â2âGenre and the Question of Actuality
â3âThe Treatise within the Philonic Corpus
â4âStructure: The Two Ways
â5âText, Translations and Commentaries
â6âNachleben: The Christian Use of De Vita Contemplativa
â7âThe Name of the âTherapeutaeâ
â8âIdentity: Ascetic Jewish Allegorists in Alexandria
Translation
Textual Notes
The Title
Chapter 1: §§ 1â11 Introduction
Chapter 2: §§ 12â39 The Good Example
Chapter 3: §§ 40â63 The Wrong Symposia
Chapter 4: §§ 64â89 The Right Symposia
Chapter 5: § 90 Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
âGregory E. Sterling
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
List of Figures
Introduction
â1âPhilo and the Context of the Treatise
â2âGenre and the Question of Actuality
â3âThe Treatise within the Philonic Corpus
â4âStructure: The Two Ways
â5âText, Translations and Commentaries
â6âNachleben: The Christian Use of De Vita Contemplativa
â7âThe Name of the âTherapeutaeâ
â8âIdentity: Ascetic Jewish Allegorists in Alexandria
Translation and Textual Notes: Philo of Alexandria, De Vita Contemplativa
Translation
Textual Notes
Commentary
The Title
Chapter 1: §§ 1â11 Introduction
Chapter 2: §§ 12â39 The Good Example
Chapter 3: §§ 40â63 The Wrong Symposia
Chapter 4: §§ 64â89 The Right Symposia
Chapter 5: § 90 Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Scholars and students of Hellenistic and Roman history; Second Temple Judaism; early Church history. This series is intended to make Philo accessible for those who may not otherwise approach him.