Writings

Several of Philo’s works were historical, but most were philosophical and exegetical. His historical works included Against Flaccus and On the Embassy to Gaius, while philosophical works were On the Virtues, On the Contemplative Life, and On Providence. His exegetical works focused especially on the Pentateuch (e.g., On the Creation, On the Giants, On Dreams, On the Life of Moses 1–2, The Decalogue, The Special Laws 1–4, and Questions and Answers on Genesis 1–3).

Philo’s writings initially made more headway into Christian circles than into Jewish thought. Philo’s writings were influential in the later “Alexandrian school” of interpretation, whose chief representatives were Clement of Alexandria and Origen. His work was also influential in the writings of Ambrose of Milan and Augustine of Hippo.