Which major works of Philo Judaeus are still extant?
The extant works of Philo Judaeus are categorized into three primary groups, reflecting his diverse interests in scripture, philosophy, and contemporary politics:1
Scriptural Essays and Homilies
These works focus on the Pentateuch, particularly the book of Genesis. Key treatises include:
* Allegories of the Laws
* On the Special Laws
General Philosophical and Religious Essays
These writings address broader philosophical themes, often engaging with Stoic thought:
* That Every Good Man Is Free
* On the Eternity of the World (authorship is sometimes debated)
* On Providence (extant in Armenian)
* On Alexander (extant in Armenian)
Essays on Contemporary Subjects
These works provide insight into the historical and social context of Alexandrian Jews:
* On the Contemplative Life, which details the Therapeutae sect
* Hypothetica (fragmentary)
* Against Flaccus
* On the Embassy to Gaius
It is important to note that several works historically attributed to Philo, such as Biblical Antiquities, are considered spurious by scholars.1