Philo of Alexandria: Every Good Man is Free : Introduction, Translation, and Commentary / Maren R. Niehoff.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Niehoff, Maren, author.

Series:

Biblical Studies, Ancient Near East and Early Christianity E-Books Online, Collection 2026

Philo of Alexandria Commentary Series ; 9.

Philo of Alexandria Commentary Series ; 9

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ancient Judaism.

Reformation texts with translation (1350-1650). Biblical studies.

Reformation texts with translation (1350-1650).

New Testament & Early Christian Writings.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (725 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Introduction, Translation, and Commentary

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2026.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Philo’s treatise on freedom is the first extant exposition of the topic, which became neuralgic in the first century CE. Philosophical, historical, literary and exegetical aspects are explored. The Essenes are presented as an exemplary group of free individuals, who reject slavery and study Torah on the Sabbath. In this first commentary on the treatise, Philo’s thought is explained in the context of the circumstances in which it was written, namely in the aftermath of the Alexandrian pogrom in 38 CE, when he served as the head of the Jewish embassy in Rome. The main contemporary figures are introduced and Philo’s role in the debates of first century Rome is highlighted. Special attention is paid to Cynic philosophy, which prized individual freedom and saw a revival in Rome that is otherwise attested only fragmentarily. Philo’s treatise emerges as a precious source, which illuminates subsequent advocates of freedom, such as Paul and Epictetus.

Contents:

Front Cover

‎Half-Title Page

‎Series Title Page

‎Title Page

‎Copyright Page

‎Contents

‎General Introduction to the Philo Of Alexandria Commentary Series

‎Acknowledgements

‎Abbreviations

‎Introduction

‎1. The Significance of the Treatise

‎2. Main Themes and Structure of the Treatise

‎3. Authenticity and Title

‎4. The Place of the Treatise among Philo's Later Roman Writings

‎5. First Century CE Rome as Intellectual Context

‎5.1. Apion and Chaeremon, the Rival Ambassadors

‎5.2. Demetrius, Cynic Philosopher in Rome and Opponent of Gaius Caligula

‎5.3. Valerius Maximus and Roman Exemplarity

‎5.4. Seneca, an Exponent of Roman Stoicism

‎5.5. Epictetus, a Stoic with Strong Cynic Sympathies

‎5.6. Josephus, a Jewish Historian in Rome

‎5.7. Plutarch, a Greek Biographer and Moralist in Rome

‎5.8. Paul, a Hellenistic Jew Addressing Broader Audiences

‎6. Genre and Sources

‎7. Traces of the Treatise in Antiquity

‎8. Editions and Manuscripts

‎9. Translations into English, German, French, Hebrew, Chinese and Japanese

‎10. Method of Translation and Commentary

‎11. A Guide for Readers in the Fields of Ancient Philosophy, Ancient Judaism, NT Studies, Greek Literature as Well as Roman History, Culture and Realia

‎11.1. The Probus and Ancient Philosophy

‎11.2. The Probus and Ancient Judaism

‎11.3. The Probus and the New Testament

‎11.4. Greek Literature in the Probus

‎11.5. Roman History, Culture and Realia in the Probus

‎Translation with Annotations

‎1. Chapter One: A Paradoxical Beginning (1-15)

‎2. Chapter Two: Exploring Freedom in Stoic and Cynic Style (16-40)

‎3. Chapter Three: Friendship with God and the Laws of the City (41-47)

‎4. Chapter Four: Parity of Speech according to Zeno and Moses (48-57).

‎5. Chapter Five: Things That Are up to Us (58-61)

‎6. Chapter Six: Barbarian Wisdom (62-74)

‎7. Chapter Seven: The Essenes. A Response to the Detractors (75-91)

‎8. Chapter Eight: Calanus the Indian Gymnosophist before Alexander the Great (92-97)

‎9. Chapter Nine: Heracles between Literature and Politics (98-120)

‎10. Chapter Ten: Diogenes of Sinope and His Imitators (121-130)

‎11. Chapter Eleven: Further Thoughts on Freedom and Cosmopolitanism (131-157)

‎12. Chapter Twelve: Epilogue (158-160)

‎Chapter 1. A Paradoxical Beginning (1-15)

‎1. Analysis/General Comments

‎2. Detailed Comments

‎Chapter 2. Exploring Freedom in Stoic and Cynic Style (16-40)

‎Chapter 3. Friendship with God and the Laws of the City (41-47)

‎Chapter 4. Parity of Speech according to Zeno and Moses (48-57)

‎Chapter 5. Things That Are up to Us (58-61)

‎Chapter 6. Barbarian Wisdom (62-74)

‎Chapter 7. The Essenes: A Response to the Detractors (75-91)

‎2. Nicolaus of Damascus as a Model for Philo

‎3. Detailed Comments

‎Chapter 8. Calanus the Indian Gymnosophist before Alexander the Great (92-97)

‎Chapter 9. Heracles in Literature and Politics (98-130)

‎Chapter 10. Diogenes of Sinope and His Imitators (121-130)

‎Chapter 11. Further Thoughts on Freedom and Cosmopolitanism (131-157).

‎1. Analysis/General Comments

‎Chapter 12. Epilogue (158-160)

‎Bibliography

‎Index Locorum

‎

‎Old Testament/Septuagint/Hebrew Bible

‎Greek Literature

‎Latin Literature

‎Later Christian Literature

‎Rabbinic Literature

‎General Index

Back Cover.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

90-04-68930-3

OCLC:

1586550392

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004689305 DOI