Philo of Alexandria - Books and Journals

critical studies 2001 191
This paper expounds the most relevant features of Synesius’ treatise about
dreams, and compares it with Somn. 1–2 of Philo. It is concluded that both
authors make a fundamental connection between the perfection of the soul that
dreams and the quality of dreams received. (JPM)
20182. L. Troiani, ‘Filone alessandrino e il cristianesimo delle origini,’
in D. Ambaglio (ed.), ΣΥΓΓΡΑΦΗ. Materiali e appunti per lo studio
della storia e della letteratura antica (Como 2001) 157–172.
The testimony of Philo, esp. in Legat., is of fundamental importance in
correcting certain fixed theories on the genesis of Christianity, even if up to now
it has been little used. The value of Philo in this case is due to the fact that Legat.
gives a precise picture of the variety—geographical, linguistic and cultural—of
the Jewish community in the Diaspora, and also helps us to understand the
influence that Philonic thought may have exerted on Paul. Finally, Legat. also
helps us reconstruct the context in which the Gospels were spread, because
it gives us a picture of the condition of the Jews of Rome and of the Empire
at the time of the Embassy. This community undoubtedly reveals a variety of
attitudes towards the Laws because it was time and time again constrained
to make compromises with the Roman and the imperial authorities. These
differences were determinative for the diversity of reactions on the part of Jewish
communities towards Christianity. (RR)
20183. J.D.Turner,Sethian Gnosticism and the Platonic Tradition,
Bibliothèque Copte de Nag Hammadi. Section «Études» 6 (Quebec–
Louvain–Paris 2001), esp. 355–362.
This is an extensive study of ‘the relationships and possible mutual influences’
between Gnosticism, especially Sethian Gnosticism, and Platonism from 100
b.c.e. to 400 c.e. After an introductory review of the various ways these relationships
have been understood, Part One discusses Sethian literature and history,
Part Two covers Platonic doctrines and their history, Part Three deals specifically
with the Platonizing Sethian treatises, and the Conclusion presents an overview
of Sethian religion. Aspects of Philo’s thought are briefly included as part of the
Platonic tradition in Part Two: his metaphysical conceptions, presented as an
example of Neopythagorean Platonism (pp. 355–362); his ideas about the Logos
and souls (pp. 459–460); and his notion of the monad and hebdomad, which are
compared in passing to elements in the theology of Xenocrates (pp. 336–337).
(EB)
20184. J.C.VanderKam,AnIntroduction to Early Judaism (Grand
Rapids 2001), esp. 138–142.
Verybriefaccountofthelife,writingsandthoughtofPhiloaspartofan
introductory textbook on early Judaism treating the period from the Persian
period (538–332 b.c.e) to the Bar Kokhba revolt in 135 c.e. (DTR)