Description
Book SynopsisThis first biography of Philo of Alexandria, one of antiquity's most prolific yet enigmatic authors, traces his intellectual development from Bible interpreter to diplomat in Rome
Trade Review“It does not happen often that a book is published which has the potential to fundamentally change the paradigm of scholarship on its subject matter, but Niehoff’s intellectual biography...is certainly one of them.”—Eelco Glas,
NTT Journal for Theology and the Study of Religion“A lucid and, indeed, original encompassing reconstruction of Philo’s thinking...Provides a great service to further scholarship”—Angela Standhartinger,
Journal for the Study of JudaismWon the Polonsky Prize for Originality and Creativity sponsored by Hebrew University
Finalist for the 2019 Jordan Schnitzer Book Award, in the category of Jewish Philosophy
“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
"Niehoff offers a coherent interpretation of the development of Philo of Alexandria's thought that 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
“This is a bold and pioneering attempt to arrange the numerous works of Philo in a chronological sequence and on that basis to write an intellectual biography. All future attempts will be based on this book. In her outstanding accomplishment, Maren Niehoff also restores Philo to his Roman context, which is usually ignored.”—Shaye J. D. Cohen, Harvard University
