Auction 47
Lot 050:
Rare work in Latin—“Philo Judaeus: Philonis Iudaei, scriptoris eloquentissimi”, the writings of the Jewish author and philosopher Philo of Alexandria. Published by John Temporalem (Ioannem Temporalem). Lyon (France), 1555. [8], 870, [58] pages. Categorized as rare in the National Library.
New inscribed binding, stains, various notes in a number of places (not Hebrew), overall very good condition.
Philo of Alexandria (c. 15 BCE to c. 45 CE) was a Jewish-Hellenistic philosopher who lived in Alexandria during the Roman Empire. The biographical information we have about him is scarce and is based on the little he wrote about himself in his books and his mention in the writings of Yosef ben Matityahu (Josephus). According to the latter, he was from an aristocratic and wealthy family who traded, and he also says that Philo was "a most famous man."
Its principles conform to Rambam’s thirteen principles of faith and yet he is not considered part of the rabbinic tradition, and has over the years become a major source of inspiration for the fathers of the Christian Church in shaping their religious worldview. From reading his writings it is estimated that he visited the Temple in Jerusalem only once in his lifetime. Most of his works deal with the Torah, but have been preserved by the Church.
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