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Philo of Alexandria
An Intellectual Biography
Philo was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who left behind one of the richest bodies of work from antiquity, yet his personality and intellectual development have remained a riddle. Maren Niehoff presents the first biography of Philo, arguing that his trip to Rome in 38 CE was a turning point in his life. There he was exposed to not only new political circumstances but also a new cultural and philosophical environment.
Following the pogrom in Alexandria, Philo became active as an intellectual in the capital of the Empire, responding to the challenges of his time and creatively reconstructing his identity, though always maintaining pride in the Jewish tradition. Philo's trajectory from Alexandria to Rome and his enthusiastic adoption of new modes of thought rendered him a keen figure in the complex negotiation between East and West.
Following the pogrom in Alexandria, Philo became active as an intellectual in the capital of the Empire, responding to the challenges of his time and creatively reconstructing his identity, though always maintaining pride in the Jewish tradition. Philo's trajectory from Alexandria to Rome and his enthusiastic adoption of new modes of thought rendered him a keen figure in the complex negotiation between East and West.
About the author
Maren R. Niehoff, Max Cooper Professor of Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, trained in Jerusalem, Berlin, and Oxford and at the Harvard Society of Fellows. She lives in Jerusalem, Israel.
Reviews
"Niehoff offers a coherent interpretation of the development of Philo of Alexandria's thought, which will be valuable for those interested not only in Diaspora Judaism, but also in early Christianity and Greek and Roman philosophy" – Thomas Tobin, Loyola University Chicago
"Maren Niehoff's lucid and original account of Philo's philosophical biography will speak to students of Judaism, Stoicism, Platonism and Christianity more widely as a compelling case-study of intellectual exchange in a world united by empire" – George R. Boys-Stones, Durham University
"Maren Niehoff's lucid and original account of Philo's philosophical biography will speak to students of Judaism, Stoicism, Platonism and Christianity more widely as a compelling case-study of intellectual exchange in a world united by empire" – George R. Boys-Stones, Durham University