Philo

Date of Birth: 20 BCE

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 50 CE

Biography

Philo of Alexandria, also known simply as Philo, was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who lived in Alexandria, Egypt. His works blend Greek philosophy, particularly Platonism and Stoicism, with Jewish theology. Philo attempted to harmonize reason and faith, and his writings had a significant influence on both Jewish and Christian thought. Philo’s extensive corpus includes commentaries on the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible), expositions of Jewish law, and philosophical treatises. His ideas on the Logos as a divine intermediary influenced early Christian theology, particularly the Gospel of John.

5 Interesting Facts about Philo

1. Philo was a contemporary of Jesus Christ and lived through the early Roman Empire’s formative years.

2. He is best known for his concept of the Logos, which he described as a bridge between God and the material world.

3. Philo attended the delegation to Emperor Caligula in Rome, representing the Jewish community of Alexandria.

4. His works were largely forgotten in the Jewish tradition but were preserved by early Christians who saw value in his synthesis of Greek philosophy and Jewish theology.

5. Philo’s writings significantly influenced early Christian thinkers, including Clement of Alexandria and Origen.