Which Greek writers and philosophers influenced Philo Judaeus?

Philo Judaeus was deeply influenced by a variety of Greek philosophical schools and writers, which he synthesized with his Jewish faith. His primary intellectual influences included:

• Plato: Philo’s philosophical outlook was fundamentally Platonic. He held a deep reverence for dialogues such as the Symposium and the Timaeus, and he integrated Platonic concepts—such as the theory of Ideas—into his theology by positing them as God’s eternal thoughts.1
• Stoics: Philo frequently employed Stoic terminology, though he often remained critical of their specific doctrines.1
• Aristotle: He was indebted to Aristotelian thought, particularly regarding ethics and cosmology.1
• Neo-Pythagoreans: Philo drew upon their ideas concerning the mystical significance of numbers and the importance of a disciplined lifestyle as preparation for immortality.1
• Cynics: The Cynic tradition of the diatribe influenced the structure of Philo’s sermons.1

Beyond formal philosophy, Philo was well-versed in Greek literature, frequently citing epic and dramatic poets, including Euripides. His education in the liberal arts and rhetoric further shaped his ability to interpret biblical texts through the lens of Greek intellectual traditions.2