Publication

2020 - BRILL

Language

English

Word Count

107,500 words, Guess

Page Count

430 pages

Identifiers

  • ISBN-139789004438149
  • ISBN-109004438149
  • Library of Congress Control Number2020030075
  • OCLC Control Number1164819097
  • Better World Books9789004438149
and 1 more

Classifications

  • LCCB689.D443T39 2020
  • LCCB689.D443 T39 2021

Description

"On the Contemplative Life is known for its depiction of a philosophical group of Jewish men and women known as the 'Therapeutae'. 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 Philo's 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"--

Subjects

Topics

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