Philo Judaeus of Alexandria

(20 B.C.-50 A.D.)

"Philo's works were enthusiastically received by the early Christians."

Little is known of the life of Philo. Josephus, the Judean historian who also lived in the 1st century, says that Philo's family surpassed all others in the nobility of its lineage. His father had apparently played a prominent role in Palestine before moving to Alexandria.

The only event in his life that can be determined chronologically is his participation in the embassy which the Alexandrian Jews, in 40 AD., sent to the emperor Caligula at Rome for the purpose of asking protection against the attacks of the Greeks.